India, March 23 -- In a significant decision following weeks of unrest, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) on Sunday approved an amendment mandating that only Scheduled Tribe (ST) members can contest its elections, ending the participation of non-tribals after more than seven decades.
The amendment to the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules was unanimously passed during a special session convened by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar. Officials said the move formalises a long-standing demand to reserve electoral participation exclusively for tribal communities.The decision comes in the backdrop of sustained protests and escalating ethnic tensions in parts of Garo Hills over the issu...