Shillong: Social worker Cherian G. Momin is sounding the alarm on a plan to carve a new Regional Council out of the Garo Hills. He warned the public on August 9 that officials must study the legal and territorial fallout before moving ahead. The Regional Council Demand Committee wants this split for the Hajong, Koch, Rabha, Boro-Kachari, and Mann communities.
Momin insists these groups deserve rights, but they are not automatically entitled to a separate council just because they hold Scheduled Tribe status. He argues that Paragraph 1(2) of the Sixth Schedule gives the Governor power to create autonomous regions, but it does not force the creation of new councils. He noted, "This does not automatically justify the creation of a separate Regional Council within an existing Sixth Schedule area."
The proposal risks undermining the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Momin says authorities must vet the impact on A’king land and traditional Nokmaship institutions before changing any borders. The government needs to demand clear data on geography, demographics, and funding before taking a stand. Momin favors inclusive governance over breaking up the territory.
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