Tura, Aug 10: The Meghalaya Indigenous Minority Scheduled Tribe Forum has conveyed deep concern over alleged remarks attributed to Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, reportedly suggesting that only Garos should remain in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and that minority indigenous Scheduled Tribes be excluded.
In a memorandum submitted to the Speaker, MIMSTF described the reported statement as communal and contrary to constitutional values. According to the forum, such a position, if made, would be at odds with the inclusive intent of the Sixth Schedule and could weaken the bonds of trust among the state’s indigenous communities.
The forum affirmed that Meghalaya is the shared homeland of all its indigenous peoples, including Garo, Khasi, Jaintia, Hajong, Rabha, Koch, Boro, Manni, Karbi and others. It maintained that no single community can determine that another indigenous group is an outsider in its own land.
MIMSTF also referred to practices in the other Autonomous District Councils, noting that minority indigenous tribes exercise electoral rights and participate in governance in the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills ADCs. The forum urged that the same principles of equality and representation be consistently upheld in Garo Hills.
The organisation has sought an immediate public clarification and withdrawal of the alleged statement, an unequivocal commitment to uphold the Constitution of India and promote unity among all indigenous communities, and an assurance that no indigenous tribe will be treated as a secondary community in Meghalaya.
