Raphael Warjri

A protest rally in Shillong was organised by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) at Motphran. Garo youths, including leaders and members of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Khasi Hills Zone, turned up in large numbers and marched in solidarity with the Achik community of Garo Hills.

The rally comes amid rising ethnic tensions in parts of Garo Hills following protests by pressure groups opposing the participation of non-tribal candidates in the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), which were earlier scheduled to be held on April 10, 2026 

According to CoMSO leaders, unchecked illegal infiltration poses a serious threat to the demographic balance of indigenous communities, their land rights, and the constitutional safeguards meant to protect tribal populations.

Meanwhile, the rally also had a visible impact on commercial activity in parts of Shillong. Shops owned by non-tribal traders in areas such as Police Bazaar, GS Road and Motphran remained closed throughout the day amid fears of possible unrest.
Security was significantly tightened in the Motphran–Police Bazaar area, with personnel of the East Khasi Hills police deployed in large numbers since morning to ensure that the rally passed off peacefully without triggering any disturbance in Shillong and adjoining localities.

Chairman of CoMSO, Roy Kupar Synrem, expressed solidarity with the Achik people of Garo Hills in their opposition to illegal immigrants, stating that the Hynniewtrep community stands firmly with them in protecting indigenous land, rights and identity. He warned that illegal infiltration threatens the demographic balance of tribal communities and issued a three-year ultimatum to the government led by Conrad Sangma to take decisive steps to safeguard the culture and future of the Achik people.