Claims separate state will bring ‘lasting’ peace
TURA: Following in the footsteps of other militant groups in Garo Hills that are seeking a separate Garoland state, another extremist group has joined the bandwagon.
The United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) headed by Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin has issued a press statement claiming that his outfit is also in support of a Garoland state for the Garos.
“Our demand for separate Garoland state is based on our constitutional right, laid down in Indian Constitution under Article 371 and would remain unchanged until achieved,” stated Nagra R Marak, general secretary of the UALA.
The demand for a separate Garoland state first surfaced during the early 1990s’ when the first tribal outfit A’chik Liberation Matgrik Army (ALMA) took root in the Garo Hills. The issue continued to be the core demand of another armed organization-ANVC and since then others including the GNLA, LAEF and ANVC-B have followed suit.
The UALA, which is a new entrant following its formation during the early part of 2013 claim that it was compelled to take up arms to make its ‘voices’ heard.
“Our voices were never heard, our sentiments and emotions never respected, our thoughts, needs and vision surpressed. We are left with no other choice but to rise up with arms in order to address our grievances,” further claimed the UALA leader.
Police in Garo Hills however say that the UALA was formed by Norrok X Momin only to escape arrest after he became a wanted man for the daring attack on Williamnagar jail and the cold blooded killing of two jail officials, early this year.
The outfit has claimed that its ideologies include safeguarding the rights of the Garos, fighting poverty and corruption.
The outfit is a suspect in the recent killing of seven persons from the Rabha community in Goalpara district of Assam during Diwali celebrations.
