Tribal woman nominated as head of autonomous council

In a first in Meghalaya, a tribal woman is slated to head one of the two tribal autonomous district councils after regional parties decided to nominate her as the Chairperson of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

The All Regional Party Alliance (ARPA), a coalition of the Hills State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) having won seven seats, the United Democratic Party (UDP) with six seats and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) with four members, nominated a woman to be the chairperson of the council, party sources said.

Two-time member of the council from Mylliem constituency in East Khasi Hills, Teilinia Thankhiew, has been nominated as the candidate of the regional parties for the election to the post of Chairperson scheduled on March 6.

"I am humbled because the party and the alliance partner have the confidence in me to be the Chairperson, the first in Meghalaya's 40-year history," Thangkhiew said.