Kamal Ghorui
SHILLONG: Meghalaya HC on Wednesday quashed a controversial notification making submission of ST certificates mandatory for candidates filing nominations for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, seeking to douse tensions in the West Garo Hills involving the local community and supporters of non-tribal poll aspirants.The verdict, which came on a petition by politician Enamul Hoque, prompted the Conrad Sangma govt to postpone the April 10 polls to the 29-seat autonomous council that administers all five Garo Hills districts.In a video message, Sangma said that given the situation in the Garo hills, including violence in which two lives were lost early Monday, the NPP-led govt had decided to keep the GHADC elections on hold for now. “We will sit and decide how to take this procedure ahead,” he said.Mobs torched the NPP office in the district headquarters town of Tura, rained stones on the SP’s office and clashed with police amid curfew and a flag march by the Army. Late in the evening, Sangma issued a statement saying that he had been informed about a group planning to burn down his house in Tura and attack his family.“In accordance with protocol, I was advised to relocate, but I refused. I am not afraid. My life rests in the hands of the Lord. As an A·chik (Garo), I draw courage from the legacy of PA Sangma (the CM’s late father and former Lok Sabha Speaker), and remain committed to serving my people with integrity,” he said.The CM said the attacks on govt properties, places of worship and homes were unacceptable and would be appropriately dealt with.Meghalaya Board of School Education cancelled the HSSLC exams scheduled for March 11 and 12 in West Garo Hills, saying fresh dates would be announced later.While striking down the notification that triggered the unrest, Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew said participation of non-tribals in elections to the district councils, which have been “primarily established” for the benefit of Scheduled Tri-bes, had stoked a “fierce debate”. The violent fallout of the unrest now requires the judiciary to step in, he said.
