Tura, Meghalaya – The Assam government has announced that it will conduct a census that includes several areas of Meghalaya. The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) Pedaldoba regional unit and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma have responded to the announcement.
Chief Minister Sangma explained that the census will cover the Raksamgre Civil Sub‑Division as well as Saltopgre, Kurung, Pedaldoba, Rongsai and other localities. He said that these areas will be counted as part of the census exercise.
The GSMC has alleged that Meghalaya’s Scheduled Tribe status and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) rights are not being respected. It claims that the census is excluding Meghalaya communities and that Assam census officials are not acknowledging them. The committee says the census will be carried out before September 10 and that the Meghalaya government will file a formal complaint.
The GSMC further argues that if the people are considered migrants, they will be eligible for central schemes such as PMAY and MGNREGA. It insists that they are not migrants and that the Census Act 1948 should not override Meghalaya’s ST status. The committee cited the historical context of the Garo Hills region and noted that the GHADC’s authority remains.
