‘We are not stupid, yet acts of stupidity are happening in Garo Hills’
Tura: The people of North Garo Hills on Tuesday unanimously rallied for peace to be a permanent fixture at the town of Resubelpara. The peace cry, voiced out by the Citizens’ Forum for Peace (CFP), was seconded by residents of the region with more than a 10,000 strong crowd echoing their voices to ask for a peaceful Garo Hills.
The rally, which followed the short meeting on the current situation, went through the main parts of town after starting from Dekachang Playground in the heart of Resubelpara, passing through the DC and SP’s offices.
“Given the current situation and the absolute need for peace within the region, we have allowed our school children to be a part of the rally as we all need peace within the region,” said a Sister of a convent school from the town.
“We are here to be a part of the rally as we feel it is time for peace in Garo Hills and these activities in Garo Hills have driven us backwards. As school children, we want our voices to be heard and sense to prevail. You cannot be kidnapping our mothers and friends and this is the message we want to send across,” said a young girl, a student of Class X, who attended the rally.
“Some of our friends from other states think we are stupid as there have been so many incidents of violence that have come from Garo Hills. Though we are not stupid, yet acts of stupidity are happening and it just shows us in very poor light,” added an eighth grader.
“Our hope is that after our endeavour to show our seriousness on the question of peace, militants will hear our voices and come forward and stop these incidents from happening,” added another student of a local school from Resubelpara.
“We have lost faith in the government as it has failed to control the situation. It is now time for the people to stand against these activities and be one. The rally is a show to them that we are very serious on the question of peace,” said D.K. Sangma, one of the principal conveners of the CFP.
“Incidents of kidnapping, extortion, murder are perpetrated by these outfits in the name of Garoland. These people are targeting Garos along with others who live here in Garo Hills and then claim that it is all for Garoland. If they really want to work for Garoland, they should come forward and join the mainstream. We can fight for Garoland together,” he added.
Khanin Momin, another convener of the CFP, said, “We condemn the killings of women like Josbin Sangma in Chokpot and the kidnapping of Sandai Sangma, a school teacher from here. We also condemn the kidnapping of small children in Garo Hills. The killing of the petrol pump attendant is highly condemnable.”
“These things cannot continue like this forever. They will drive everyone out of Garo Hills at this rate and this violence has to stop. You cannot kidnap and kill mothers or children or people from here and say you are doing it for Garoland. Which Garoland is being spoken of here?” Momin questioned, further stating that people getting together is a sign that change will happen.