SHILLONG: In a step forward towards fulfilling the demand for a separate state for Garos, four political parties in Garo Hills have come together to pursue the Statehood demand in a political manner.
A meeting in this regard held at the residence of GNC leader and Chokpot legislator Clifford Marak on Saturday decided to form the Political Parties Co-ordination Committee comprising NPP, GNC, UDP and BJP members to take up the cause of Statehood for Garo Hills.
In a statement issued here on Monday, assistant general secretary, Garo Hills State Movement Committee, Pamosh Ch. Sangma, said that besides the formation of Political Parties Co-ordination Committee, another resolution adopted was that the members of political parties, NGOs, church leaders, Nokma and others communities of Garo Hills will be members of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee.
During the meeting various political parties including NPP, GNC, BJP and UDP, and NGOs, church leaders, Nokma councils, senior citizens, leaders of Nepali community and intellectuals took part.
Besides legislator Clifford Marak, other leaders present in the meeting included former Assembly Speaker E.D. Marak (BJP), former Baghmara legislator Satto R Marak (NPP), sitting MDCs Denang Sangma and R.D. Sangma, former MDC S.B. Sangma (NPP), MPSC member F.B. Sangma, Rev. Insting Ch. Marak and AYWO president T. Adinson Ch. Momin.
The first political level meeting was held at the residence of Tura MP and NPP leader PA Sangma in September.
Earlier in March this year, a resolution on the need to create a separate Garoland state was defeated by a voice vote in the Meghalaya Assembly.
GNC member Clifford Marak had moved the resolution citing lack of development in Garo Hills and disparity between the Garos and the Khasi-Jaintia population, both socially and economically.