TURA: The National People’s Party (NPP), Women’s Wing recently organized a meet to discuss various issues pertaining to Garo Hills region. The meeting was attended by various party leaders from the State and the district level.
Various burning issues including the move to codify the Garo Customary Laws, extension of GHADC term for another six months, MRDS scam and law and order situation in Garo Hills including the kidnapping of womenfolk were discussed at the meeting.
While strongly condemning the codification of Garo Customary Laws, the meeting questioned how something new can be a customary law.
“How can a non-Garo mother or father be recognized as a Garo? A person born of a non-Garo mother and father cannot be simply recognized as a Garo or A·chik even if he/ she follows Garo customs and traditions. We are Garos by blood not by embracing or adopting Garo culture,” the meeting stated.
It expressed opposition to the extension of term of the GHADC saying that it was undemocratic, unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The meeting also unanimously condemned recurring violence in Garo Hills including kidnapping incidents and the recent killing of a petrol pump attendant while also expressing concern on the indefinite strike called by the SBI.
The meeting also strongly demanded that a proper investigation is carried out against the recently unearthed MRDS scam and the termination of the accused official if found guilty.
