SHILLONG: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has accused the National People’s Party‑led Meghalaya government of eight years of “inaction” on anomalies that allow non‑tribals to contest Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections—a practice it says threatens tribal identity and constitutional safeguards.
In a statement issued on Sunday, CoMSO Chairman Roykupar Synrem said the NPP has chosen to hide behind empty words, delays, and calculated silence while fears grow among the Achik community.
“The indigenous people of Meghalaya are no longer willing to tolerate a government that speaks loudly in public but acts timidly when it comes to defending the interests of the indigenous tribal population,” he said.
Synrem argued that repeated assurances to “look into” the issue have bred only confusion.
“CoMSO makes it clear that the NPP cannot continue to fool the people with promises… while allowing confusion, loopholes, and legal uncertainty to persist.”
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He called for immediate corrective action, saying, “If the NPP… truly respects the autonomy of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and the rights of the Achik community, then it must prove it through immediate action.”
The group warned that continued delay undermines the government’s credibility.
“The continued failure to decisively resolve this matter only raises serious doubts about the sincerity, commitment, and political will of the NPP‑led government,” Synrem said.
“A government that cannot protect the very foundation of indigenous tribal rights has no moral authority to preach about governance, justice, or indigenous welfare.”
CoMSO pressed for urgency, not rhetoric.
“The sanctity of the GHADC elections must be upheld, and any anomaly that undermines the legal and constitutional rights of the Achik people must be corrected without delay,” Synrem said.
He warned, “The indigenous people are watching, and they will not forgive leaders who chose convenience over conviction… The patience of the indigenous people is running out, and a time will come that no amount of speeches will silence the anger against this continued betrayal.”