Shillong, March 15 Meghalaya Governor C H Vijayashankar has convened a special session of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) on March 16 after 21 members of the council submitted a letter claiming that Chief Executive Member (CEM) Albinush R Marak has lost the confidence of the House, officials said on Sunday.
According to a notification issued by the District Council Affairs Department, the Governor received the letter signed by 21 Members of District Council (MDCs) on March 14, alleging that the CEM had lost the support of the Executive Council.
Exercising powers under Rule 36(5) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, the Governor directed that the special session be held at 11 am on March 16 at the council hall in Tura.
The session has been convened to discuss the matter under Rule 22(1) and to take up other necessary business as per the rules governing autonomous district councils.
The political development comes amid heightened tension in parts of the Garo Hills region after the CEM had last month issued a notification barring non-tribals from contesting elections to the GHADC.
The notification triggered protests and clashes in parts of West Garo Hills and neighbouring districts, leading to incidents of violence, arson and damage to property.
Officials said several vehicles and shops were vandalised or set on fire during the unrest, while at least two persons were killed and several others injured in police firing during protests earlier this week.
In view of the deteriorating law and order situation, the district administration imposed curfew in parts of the Garo Hills region, while security forces were deployed to restore normalcy.
Authorities have since been closely monitoring the situation, with curfew restrictions being relaxed for limited hours in some districts to allow residents to procure essential items, officials added.