By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Over 1000 farmers attended the Farmers Association meeting in A.dokgre to protest against the monopolization of broomstick market by GHADC (Garo Hills Autonomous District Council). The meeting was also attended by CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing, Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) president Daleng Bira Momin, Citizens for Social Democracy general secretary Tangkan Ch Marak along with Nokmas and Sordars from 70 villages of Adokgre area.
Addressing the gathering, Farmers’ Association, Adokgre (FAA) President, Denilson D Sangma slammed the local MLA and MDC of Kharkutta Constituency for their indifferent attitude towards the problem of farmers.
“With abandoned bridges and miserable roads (in the area) we are perennially deprived of our rights. To add to this, the GHADC monopolization over our broom stick and other agricultural produce aggravates the misery,” Sangma said.
” This monopoly has reduced our broomstick to Rs 15 per kg whereas in Guwahati it is Rs 80 per kg,” he added.
Meanwhile, Agnes Kharshiing assured all possible support to the FAA and advised the participants to file RTI and FIR wherever necessary. She also recommended FAA to write a letter to National Human Right Commission as the case is gross human rights violation in many ways.
The meeting concluded with an unanimous decision to file a protest with the Chief Executive Member (GHADC) this month and hit the streets if the response of the former is not appropriate.