SHILLONG, AUG 12: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) Garo Hills Zone, has criticized the NPP-led Meghalaya government for allegedly not fulfilling its promise to create a separate electoral roll for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.

In a statement, VPP Garo Hills president KN Marak said the continued inclusion of other Scheduled Tribe communities in the GHADC roll dilutes the purpose of the Sixth Schedule.

“Rule 128 earlier allowed both tribal and non-tribal voters, including Garos and non-Garos. This diluted the spirit of the Sixth Schedule which is meant to safeguard the identity and political rights of indigenous people,” Marak said.

He added that the government’s commitment to an exclusive Garo electoral roll has not been honoured. “The present inclusion of other ST communities along with Garos amounts to a continuation of that dilution in another form,” he stated.

The party clarified that its objection is not against any other tribal group. “This is not against any other tribal community.

Our concern is the protection of the distinct constitutional and political rights of the indigenous Garo people and the integrity of the GHADC,” Marak said.

The VPP has demanded that the government immediately review the current arrangement. “We demand that the Government relook into the matter and honour its commitment to prepare an exclusive Garo electoral roll for the GHADC,” he said.

“The Government must uphold the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and not dilute the political safeguards meant for the indigenous people of Garo Hills,” Marak added.