Shillong, Dec 11: The Regional Council Demand Committee has sought the intervention of the Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar for creation of a regional council for minority tribal communities, citing constitutional provisions and historical neglect.
“We strongly demand the creation of a regional council and request you to take the matter seriously and sympathetically,” the RCDC chairman and former minister Dr KC Boro stated in the memorandum submitted to the Governor on Wednesday.
The RCDC- representing minority tribal communities including Hajong, Koch, Rabha, Boro, and Mann – has requested the Governor to utilize powers conferred under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution to create the Regional Council, citing constitutional provisions under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India and the communities’ genuine grievances.
“We, the Minority Scheduled Tribes of Meghalaya, want to live with prosperity and dignity like other advanced communities in the state,” he states.
“We feel the need of a Regional Council, which will be our last resort to survive and grow.”
The proposed Regional Council area covers approximately 1,987 sq. km, with a population of around 1,97,718 minority tribals.
The memorandum, also endorsed by the Meghalaya Indigenous Minority Tribals’ Forum (MIMTF), highlights the historical neglect and marginalization of these communities, citing instances of injustice, discrimination, and exploitation. Despite being indigenous to the state, these groups have remained backward in education, economy, and politics compared to the major tribes of Meghalaya.
The council representative states that the current reservation quota is heavily skewed in favor of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia tribes, who have been allocated 80% of the quota, leaving only 5% for minority tribes, Scheduled Castes, and other non-indigenous tribes.
“This is equivalent to no reservation for the above-mentioned Minority Scheduled Tribes whose total population is nearly 3 lakh in the state,” the RCDC said.
The implementation of the Reservation Roster policy from 2025 is expected to further exacerbate the situation, making it even more difficult for minority tribals to secure government jobs.
The RCDC also alleged political exploitation, stating that the delimitation of assembly constituencies in 2013 was done in a way that reduced minority tribal areas to minority status, resulting in zero representation in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly since then.
“It is really unfortunate that when Muslims have 2 MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly, we the Minority Schedule Tribes do not have even a single MLA,” the RCDC said, expressing feelings of helplessness and frustration.
The RCDC has urged the Governor to consider their request and take necessary action to address the historical injustices faced by these communities.
