Shillong, March 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed deep concern over the incidents of violence that occurred on March 9 and 10 in Chibinang in Tura and other parts of the Garo Hills region in Meghalaya. The party has urged authorities to ensure that peace and normalcy are restored across the region at the earliest.
In a statement, the BJP emphasized that no infiltrator should be allowed to contest elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). The party noted that the GHADC is a constitutional body established under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard the rights and self-governance of indigenous tribal communities, and said this protection must be strictly upheld.
The party further asserted that infiltrators should not be allowed to participate in any democratic process in India, including elections to Tribal Autonomous District Councils, State Legislative Assemblies, or Parliament.
Highlighting what it described as a worrying trend in tribal autonomous council areas, the BJP alleged that infiltrators are marrying into local communities and subsequently acquiring local documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards. According to the party, these documents are then used to establish residency, acquire land and property, and potentially participate in electoral processes.
The BJP termed this practice as a systematic attempt to undermine tribal identity, rights, and the electoral system.
The party stated that it is currently engaged in discussions to push for the strictest possible laws to address the issue. It added that such legislation would help protect the land, property, and people of the Garo tribe from what it described as gradual encroachment by illegal infiltrators through marriage and documentation.
The BJP also stressed that individuals who enter the country illegally and attempt to manipulate administrative and electoral systems must face strict legal consequences.
Amid the ongoing situation, the party assured the people of Meghalaya that the Central Government is ready to assist the State Government in restoring peace and stability across the Garo Hills region.
The BJP concluded by stating that the people of the North-East, particularly the tribal communities of Garo Hills, deserve the constitutional protections guaranteed to them.
