Shillong, Apr 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday announced that the state government has initiated a comprehensive research project to study the roots of the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo tribes.

“We have put up two committees, specifically to look into the Khasi-Jaintia and one committee to look into the roots of the Garo tribe,” Sangma said after chairing a series of meetings at Tara Ghar state guest house.

The research project will involve DNA mapping, linguistic and cultural linkages, and collaboration with researchers to document various aspects of the tribes.

“We are doing this because we would like to see that more documentation, more research and more facts are available,” Sangma said.

The project is expected to take 18-24 months to complete, with periodic reports to be released as the research progresses.

“We will be formally launching this particular research program in the month of May,” Sangma added.

The preliminary study has already begun, with the team working on the project since February.

The research will involve discussions with national and international institutes to conduct an in-depth analysis of the roots of the state’s tribes.