TURA, Aug 28 - The call for exclusion of non-tribals in the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has been opposed by the chairman of Minorities Cell of the NCP, Meghalaya, Islam Hoque Choudhary.
Choudhary hit out at the threat made by the GSU (Interim body) to bar non-tribals, while also stating that he would seek the system of Gram Panchayat for non-tribal areas if there was a bar on voting or contesting by non-tribals.
�The demands and claims by the GSU is highly irrational, illogical, non-genuine and against adult franchise granted by the constitution of India. Since the creation of GHADC, non-tribal people have been allowed to cast their votes and also contest in some constituencies. We have also been elected as MDCs from non-tribal communities. Suddenly, this time they want to prevent us from voting. I strongly oppose their demand�, said Choudhary in a release today.
The Minorities Cell chairman further urged the DC and current administrator of the GHADC, Pravin Bakshi, to allow non-tribal people to cast their votes.
