The Meghalaya government on Wednesday postponed the April 10 elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following violence in the region that left two people dead. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in five districts and imposed curfew in parts of the Garo Hills. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the decision to postpone the polls was taken after reviewing the law and order situation in the region.
“Dear friends, looking at the current situation in Garo Hills and understanding the difficulties people are facing at the moment, the Government of Meghalaya has decided to postpone GHADC elections,” he said in a video message.
The unrest followed a ruling by the Meghalaya High Court that struck down a notification making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for filing nominations for the GHADC elections. The notification had sought to bar non-tribal candidates from contesting the polls, marking a departure from a practice that had continued for more than seven decades.
The High Court on Tuesday said the notification bypassed proper legislative procedures. It noted that the Executive Committee of the council could only propose changes to rules, which must then be approved by the District Council and the Governor before they can take effect.
“The notification cannot pass legal scrutiny and is set aside and quashed,” the court said.
Violence erupted in several parts of the Garo Hills following protests over the participation of non-Garo candidates in the election process. Two people were killed in police firing in Chibinang in West Garo Hills district on Tuesday during clashes between protesters and security forces.
Officials said several incidents of arson and attacks on civilians were reported in Tura and nearby areas. Former MLA E. Mominin was also allegedly assaulted during the unrest. Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma later filed a police complaint accusing him of making provocative remarks.
In response to the violence, authorities imposed curfew in West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts.
Mobile internet services were also suspended in five districts — West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.
Home Principal Secretary F.R. Kharkongor said the suspension was ordered after reports that social media could be used to spread content that might worsen the law and order situation.
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