Seven activists from Meghalaya have submitted a memorandum to Governor CH Vijayashankar seeking stronger constitutional safeguards for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), particularly on electoral participation and land protection.
Greneth M Sangma, Shiva Sangma, Flaming Marak, Emanuel Ch Marak, Cherian Momin, Browny M Marak and Nilbert Ch Marak argued that participation of non-tribal persons in council elections, their inclusion in electoral rolls, and the possible transfer of tribal land threaten the intent of provisions under Article 244(2) and the Sixth Schedule.
They stated that the governor, who has supervisory authority over autonomous district councils, should intervene to ensure protection of indigenous tribal rights in Garo Hills.
Proposals on elections and land safeguards
The memorandum proposes restricting candidature in GHADC elections exclusively to members of the Garo Scheduled Tribe. It also calls for candidates to be bona fide citizens of Meghalaya or persons born in the state.
The activists further sought a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to remove non-tribal names where such inclusion "undermines the constitutional intent". They also proposed barring the transfer of land pattas held by non-tribals except through inheritance and prohibiting the sale of tribal land to non-tribals in plains belt areas.
Legal basis and constitutional concerns
Citing the Supreme Court's rulings in Samatha v. Andhra Pradesh (1997) and Orissa Mining Corporation (2013), the memorandum emphasised that tribal land and governance rights must be protected from dilution.
The activists said the Sixth Schedule represents a constitutional mechanism designed to safeguard the identity, land and governance systems of tribal communities.
They urged the governor to consider their proposals and take "appropriate constitutional and administrative action" to preserve the objectives of the Sixth Schedule and protect indigenous residents in Garo Hills.