Shillong: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has urged Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar to make Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for both voters and candidates in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
After meeting the Governor on Tuesday, GSU president Tengsak G Momin said the demand aims to protect the intent of the Sixth Schedule, warning that allowing non-tribals to participate dilutes constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities.
The union also sought amendments to Rule 128 to specify “indigenous scheduled tribes of Garo Hills” and called for changes to Paragraph 12A of the Sixth Schedule, alleging it enables undue state government interpretation of council rules.
Momin said the Governor responded positively and indicated discussions have already been held with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, including the possibility of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the polls.
