Hoping Stone’s presence lends weight to Garoland demand
From Our Correspondent
TURA: A five thousand-strong crowd rallied in Tura demanding a separate Garoland state in which people from different walks of life including political parties and even militant groups participated on Friday.
Thousands of school and college students including village elders from as many as fifteen villages representing the three districts of Garo Hills took part in the rally demanding a separate state.
Village elders from Saka Boldamgre to Babadam, Silki in South Garo Hills to Baghmara, Rongrikkimgre to Chokpot, Williamnagar to Resubelpara, Sadolpara to Rongram all came together to take part in the rally which surprised many over the large turnout.
Several student and social organizations from Garo Hills joined hands with one of the oldest political party from this part of the State, the Garo National Council (GNC) to successfully hold the rally. The large turnout has clearly given out a message to the State Government that the issue of separation from Meghalaya remains a constant and strong demand of the Garos.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had recently claimed that the demand for separate state for Garos as demanded by the Garo outfit GNLA cannot be justified unless the people themselves raise the issue.
Friday’s overwhelming public response to the rally appears to have answered that question.
GNC president Clifford Marak has not ruled out the possibility of Garo Hills witnessing total shutdowns in the fight for separate statehood.
“As part of the movement we may even be required to call for bandhs and hartals. But the support of the people will be paramount for any such venture,” said Marak.
He also rued that Garo Hills has always been treated as second class continueing to face water shortage, power, and development. “Even for job interviews our boys and girls still require to go to Shillong and sometimes they lose out because of bandhs and blocades along the way,” said Marak.
GSU criticized: GNC president Clifford Marak took on the Garo Students’ Union for not giving their support for Friday’s public rally. “GSU has never supported me. Many times I have welcomed them for talks to jointly fight for Garoland but they refused,” said Marak.
Hoping Stone’s presence raises pitch: The presence of HSPDP leader and Nongstoin MLA Hoping Stone Lyngdoh at the rally in Tura gave a major boost to the separate state demand. Many in the crowd were surprised to see the veteran politician who fought for Meghalaya’s statehood from Assam. Eager crowds of young boys and girls patiently waited to listen to the politician who in his long sermon spoke at length on the history of the hill state movement.
ANVC chairman’s presence raises eyebrows: The surprise turning up of ANVC chairman Dilash Marak at the public rally took everyone by surprise. Dilash Marak also addressed the gathering and said that difficulties will continue to arise until and unless a separate state is attained. The militant chief was reportedly one of the main contributors for the public rally.
It is to be noted that the ANVC had been advocating for creation of a Garoland Territorial Council similar to that of the Bodos in Assam.
