Shillong, March 17: Several pressure groups from Garo Hills met the Governor on Tuesday and urged him to ensure that the tribal identity is not diluted in the aftermath of the unrest in Garo Hills over the GHADC polls.
They also sought the intervention of the governor on land alienation in Garo Hills.
Full text of the memorandum below
To
The Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya
Raj Bhavan, Government of Meghalaya
Shillong – 793001
Dated, Shillong the 17th of March, 2026
Sub: Memorandum Seeking Constitutional Intervention to Safeguard Tribal Governance, Electoral Structure, and Land Rights under the Sixth Schedule within the Jurisdiction of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council
Your Excellency,
We, the undersigned social activists of the Garo Hills region, respectfully submit this memorandum seeking Your Excellency’s urgent intervention to preserve the constitutional safeguards and integrity of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (“GHADC”) under Article 244(2) and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The GHADC, as a constitutionally recognized autonomous institution, was established to ensure the political, administrative, and cultural autonomy of the Garo Scheduled Tribes. Its legislative, executive, and administrative powers cover critical areas such as land governance, forests (excluding reserved forests), customary laws, and social-economic development. These powers are intended to preserve tribal identity, traditions, and rights, and to protect indigenous land from alienation.
Recent developments have raised serious concerns regarding the continued exercise of these constitutional safeguards: the inclusion of non-tribal persons in GHADC electoral rolls, potential participation of non-tribal candidates, and the allocation or transfer of land pattas in plains belt areas to non-tribals. Such developments, if unaddressed, directly undermine the purpose of the Sixth Schedule, threaten the integrity of indigenous self-governance, and risk permanent erosion of the rights of the Garo Scheduled Tribes.
Judicial pronouncements, including Samatha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1997) and Orissa Mining Corporation v. Ministry of Environment & Forest (2013), have consistently upheld the necessity of safeguarding tribal land, governance, and customary rights. These precedents reinforce the constitutional duty of supervisory authorities to prevent any act that may erode the autonomy of tribal institutions.
In light of these concerns, we respectfully submit that Your Excellency may kindly:
1. Direct that only persons belonging to the Garo Scheduled Tribe shall be eligible to contest elections to the GHADC.
2. Ensure that all GHADC candidates are bona fide citizens of Meghalaya or persons born within the State to maintain genuine indigenous representation.
3. Order a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls within GHADC jurisdiction to remove non-tribal entries that compromise the constitutional character of the Council.
4. Direct strict safeguards preventing the sale, transfer, or issuance of land pattas held by non-tribals, limiting inheritance only to biological heirs.
5. Enforce or frame regulations to protect the autonomy, governance structures, and land rights of the Garo tribal community under the Sixth Schedule.
6. Exercise supervisory authority to prevent any administrative or electoral action that may dilute or undermine the constitutional protections of the Garo Hills tribal communities.
The Sixth Schedule represents a unique constitutional guarantee for indigenous tribal communities, and timely intervention by Your Excellency is essential to ensure that the autonomy, land rights, and governance structures of the Garo Scheduled Tribes remain secure
We, therefore, submit this memorandum with utmost respect and request Your Excellency’s prompt constitutional and administrative action to safeguard the integrity of GHADC and the rights of the indigenous people of the Garo Hills.
Yours faithfully,
Shri Greneth M Sangma
Social Activist
R/o. Mindikgre, South Garo Hills,
Shri Nilbirth Ch Marak
Social Activist
R/o. Dawagre, East Garo Hills,
Shri Flaming Marak
Social Activist
R/o. Upper Chandmary, Tura, West
Garo Hills,
Shri Shiva Sangma
General Secretary
C.R.F
H.Q Tura
R/o. Nongalbibra, East Garo Hills
Shri Emanuel Ch Marak
General Secretary
ASPF
R/o. Songsak, East Garo Hills
