Minority tribes in Garo Hills demand 15% job reservation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 22, 2023

The Meghalaya Indigenous Minority Tribes’ Forum (MIMTF) has demanded 15 percent job reservation for the Rabha, Boro, Hajong, Koch and Mann tribes in the Garo Hills region of the state.

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, the forum said, “We would earnestly request you to kindly consider and give 15% quota, as and when the existing Reservation Policy is reviewed, to the Indigenous Minority Tribes of Meghalaya specifically for- Hajongs, Koches, Rabhas, Boro-Kacharies and Manns and give them a scope to grow and come at par with the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias.”

“ If considered, we feel, this will compensate for the loss that they have suffered during the last 51 years in respect of service (Government Jobs) in particular and in other aspects like-education, economy etc,” it said.

Stating that they are the “bonafide citizens” of Meghalaya, the forum said like the Khasis, Garos and Jaintias  they are also “indigenous tribes” adding that Karbis’/’Marngars’ (Dimasa) living in Ri-Bhoi district are also the indigenous Tribes of the state.

“In the existing Government Job Reservation Policy, which is -40% for Khasis and Jaintias, 40% for Garos, 15% for General and 5% for O.T. (Minority Tribe) and Scheduled Caste, although literally our quota is 5% but practically it is only 2% if not less for, we have to share it with the Scheduled Caste and even with other Tribes outside the state like Naga, Mizo etc,” it said.

The memorandum was signed by the Meghalaya Hajong Welfare Association, Meghalaya Rabha Jatio Sewa Sangha (MRJSS), Meghalaya Koch Association, Meghalaya Boro Sahitya Sabha and All Mann Tai Speaking Welfare Association.