Shillong, March 20 Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar has convened a special session of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council next week to discuss the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (AD) Rules that allow non-tribal participation in council elections, officials said on Friday.
The move follows the violence in the Garo Hills region last week.
The two-day session will be held on March 23 and 24, according to a notification issued by the commissioner and secretary of the district council affairs (DCA) department.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is in charge of the DCA, said, "The council will deliberate on proposed amendments to the AD Rules, including provisions related to eligibility criteria for candidates contesting elections."
A senior official in the home department said the move aims to frame appropriate rules for the tribal council.
"For a very long time, non-tribals have been enjoying the privilege of contesting and voting in a tribal council election. This is not right, and the recent violence in Garo Hills was about this one particular issue," the official said.
The special session has been convened after the state government decided to extend the tenure of the current GHADC by another six months.
The developments follow the violence in Tura last week, which led to the deaths of 2 persons and the subsequent imposition of curfew and suspension of mobile internet services in parts of West Garo Hills district.
The unrest also resulted in the postponement of council-related proceedings amid concerns over law and order.
The situation further triggered political instability within the GHADC, leading to the resignation of the Chief Executive Member (CEM).
A new CEM was subsequently appointed to ensure continuity of administration in the council.