Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday appealed to members of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to rise above political differences and collectively resolve the contentious issue that has triggered unrest in the region, even as he reiterated the need for a legislative pathway grounded in the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Along with TMC legislator from Ampati constituency Miani D Shira, he met Governor C. H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhawan in Shillong and submitted a memorandum.
“I am also making appeal to all the MDCs of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council to see that the political differences do not come in as a hurdle as an obstacle while is crucial issue is going to be resolved, it must be seen as a collective resolve and it must be also demonstrated by them as a decision, which is unanimous. Keeping in mind, the larger good of the people and the state is a whole,” Sangma said.
Stressing institutional responsibility, he asserted that “whole responsibility now will be automatically vested upon the members of the district Council, who should take a call through a process of legislation in the house.” He outlined that “process of Legislation can be to give effect to the kind of provision in the rule, through a resolution and that is to be seen as the house decide on their collective responsibility.”
Maintaining caution over legislative proceedings, Sangma added, “I will not Indicate anything which can be considered as premature because we cannot take house for granted. Any proceeding of the house will be determined after the proceeding is over and therefore we only hope that everybody will come together.”
Referring to his meeting with the Governor, he said, “I had the privilege and honour to have an audience with a honourable Governor today. I have sought an audience as you are all aware about Prevailing situation in the Western part of the state, across all the districts of Garo Hills. All the developments that have unfolded post declaration of election on the runoff for election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, and the overall prevailing situation.”
Detailing the sequence of events, Sangma noted, “Now, I have also shared with all of you that As the situation unfolded which led to uncontrolled violence and various other Challenges viz the law and order situation in the districts of Garo Hills.” He added that he had “Spoken to the chief Minister number of times, and engaged in discussion as to how we must all put our hats together to see that the collective effort is seen for restoration of normalcy, and harmony, peace and Harmony.”
He further emphasised the need to address the root cause, stating, “And also to put our heads together to resolve the core issue, the core issue which has ultimately culminated into that kind of situation, a charged environment then eventual scenario that we have all witnessed as a fallout of whatever happened.”
Explaining the constitutional context, Sangma said, “Now, having engaged on number of occasions. Now, there are two things that is before us. One was, of course, the issue of the term of the district council. Obviously, the term of District Council has elected as per the mandate of the Constitution, read 6th schedule of the Constitution of India is for five years. And the term of them district council house ended on March 18. Therefore, there was a situation where there was a need to take a decision.”
He elaborated that “the decision is to also proceed ahead with an election elections were postponed, but naturally elections will have to be held. But now that the election cannot be held within that Duration of the validity of the house of the District Council District Council, Garo Hills Autonomous District Council,” necessitating recourse to constitutional provisions.
“Therefore, to invoke the provision of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India to extend the term which is Provided as the provision of the 6th schedule of the Constitution for extension for a period of six months at a point of time. This was done by the government because it was needed, but at the same time, the most important core issue was that before, we proceed ahead with the election, the issue, which was to be resolved, must be discussed upon and a clear stand and the action thereof must be demonstrated,” he said.
Underscoring the central demand driving the unrest, Sangma stated, “because we must not shy away from the fact and the ground reality that we cannot hold the election until and unless, the particular issue, which was required to be, resolved, is resolved In other words, the demand of the People of Garo Hills and our Garo Community Has been very loud and clear and very assertive that Other than the Tribals, No tribal should be eligible to participate in the district Council election in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.”
“In other words to bar Anybody other than the schedule tribe from contesting in election for GHADC,” he added.
Sangma further revealed that he had urged the government to broaden consultations, stating, “And this issue has been discussed and it is only necessary for everybody to come together everybody to come together and in the process I have also suggested to the Chief Minister to call all concern, engage in discussion with all the stakeholders and particularly call all the elected members of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, discuss with them and take everybody on board and see this particular issue which needs to be resolved, is completed.”
Expressing guarded optimism, he concluded, “I am made to understand because I’ve been in engagements and I’ve been trying to follow up the developments and we have reasons to believe that keeping in mind, the adequate protection available under the relevant paras of the sixth of the Constitution of India, this can be done.”
