Tura, March 16: MDC from 21–Naguapra, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, was on Monday elected as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), following the postponement of the council elections scheduled for April 10.
The election was deferred due to the prevailing law and order situation in Garo Hills.
The situation escalated after former CEM Albinus R. Marak issued a notification making an ST certificate mandatory for filing nominations. The order was challenged in the High Court, which later quashed the notification. Following the court’s decision, several groups in the region staged protests.
In response to the growing unrest, the government decided to postpone the GHADC elections and allow time to complete the due process on the demands raised by various groups.
Amid the political developments, MDCs from both the ruling and opposition sides came together with a common agenda in the interest of the people.
On Saturday evening, 21 MDCs of the GHADC met the Governor of Meghalaya, G. H. Vijayashankar, in Shillong and sought a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against then CEM Albinus R. Marak. Following the meeting, the Council Affairs Department issued a notification to move the motion.
However, hours before the motion could be formally taken up in the council on Monday, Albinus Marak resigned as CEM, paving the way for the formation of a new Executive Committee.
Subsequently, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma was elected as the new Chief Executive Member with the support of 21 MDCs.
The MDCs who have backed Dhormonath Ch Sangma to be the new CEM are:
Sanjay Koch
Stevie M. Marak
Linekar K. Sangma
Grahambell A. Sangma
Anseng A. Sangma
Henen R. Sangma
Ashahel D. Shira
Rakesh A. Sangma
Promod Koch
Arbinstone B. Marak
Sengchim N. Sangma
Sengbath R. Marak
Nehru D. Sangma
Crozier G. Momin
Aldo A. Sangma
Cherack W. Momin
Rinaldo K. Sangma
Perdinand D. Shira
Alphonsius R. Marak
Agasi R. Marak
The GHADC has a total strength of 30 members, including one nominated member. However, the recent demise of Samanda MDC Lahitson M. Sangma has reduced the effective strength of the House to 29.
With the formation of the new Executive Committee, the council administration is expected to focus on restoring normalcy in the region and addressing the issues that led to the recent unrest.
