Shillong, March 16: The current term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has been extended by another six months following an unrest in Garo Hills over a GHADC notification barring participation of non-tribals in the Council polls.
“After detailed deliberation and discussion, the cabinet has decided to extend the term of the current House for a period of six months with effect from April 18 to October 18, 2026,” Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home & District Council Affairs Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Monday.
The Cabinet virtually chaired by chief minister Conrad K Sangma took the decision hours after Albinush R Marak resigned as chief executive member (CEM) of GHADC ahead of a no‑confidence motion moved by 21 members of the Council.
By afternoon, the House elected Dhormonath Ch Sangma as the new CEM and formed a fresh executive committee.
“I am also happy to inform all of you that again in the afternoon today the House has elected new CEM D Ch Sangma,” Tynsong said.
Asked about the Council’s Scheduled Tribe certificate directive for candidates, Tynsong said the matter now rests with the new executive committee (EC).
“Now we leave it to the wisdom of the new EC to take a call on the issue of (mandating) Scheduled Tribe (certificate for elections)….” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister argued the six‑month extension would create space for dialogue on the issue, saying, “The new executive committee and the new CEM have to take the responsibility side by side… even the government will also take the responsibility of calling or inviting for discussion across the table…under the chairmanship of the chief minister as well as in the level of the GHADC CEM.”
Terming it a landmark cabinet decision, Tynsong said, “Why government has postponed the election it is because of the law and order. Why law and order comes in it is because of the aspiration of the people. They are against non‑tribal participation in the GHADC polls.”
“Therefore, the decision taken today I think all residents of Garo Hills should be happy,” he added.
Rejecting opposition suggestions that the extension buys time for the ruling National People’s Party, he insisted politics was not the motive.
“I think right now we don’t talk about NPP or any other political parties…there is no such political agenda especially from the NPP and ruling side. We don’t have any political agenda but we would like to make sure that the aspiration of the people is met at any cost,” he said.
The government and the new executive committee will consult stakeholders over the next six months on candidate‑eligibility rules and related amendments.
“With the new EC and new CEM, they (stakeholders) will get the opportunity of flagging off all these concerns and within six months time, we have time to ultimately accommodate or to do necessary amendments whatever arises,” Tynsong stated further.
