Bar infiltrators from contesting GHADC polls: BJP

The central leadership of BJP on Thursday said that it “stand solidly” with the indigenous communities of Meghalaya, even as it demanded that “no infiltrators” should be allow to contest the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
BJP Meghalaya president, Rikman G. Momin said that the central party leadership has also expressed deep concern over the recent violence linked to a controversial notification barring non-tribals from contesting the GHADC polls. “The BJP wants to state its position clearly: no infiltrator should be allowed to contest the elections to the GHADC…,” Momin said. He said that the party is observing a “deeply troubling pattern” in the tribal autonomous district council areas.
Momin said the BJP is in active discussions for strictest laws be enacted to prevent the indigenous women from marrying infiltrators.
“In future this law will preserve their lands, property and people of Garo tribe from infiltrators who are slowly occupying their resources, land, property and people through marriage. Those who enter our country illegally and attempt to manipulate our election and administration must face the full force of the law,” Momin stated.
Momin said that the BJP-led government at the centre has assured the people of Meghalaya that it stands ready and willing to assist the State government in restoring peace across the entire Garo Hills region.
The unrest in Garo Hills had begun with protests opposing the participation of non-tribals in the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), prompting the government to postpone the polls, which were slated for April 10.