India, March 23 -- The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya on Monday amended its rules to mandate Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates for contesting council elections, following recent unrest, deaths and curfew over the participation of non-tribal candidates. The decision, taken during a special session, aims to ensure tribal representation and will now be sent for state and gubernatorial approval under the Sixth Schedule.

The move comes weeks after violence in the Garo Hills triggered by ambiguity in the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951, regarding eligibility of non-tribal candidates. The amendment restricts candidature to recognised Scheduled Tribes, a long-standing demand of several tri...