TURA: The banned GNLA has issued a statement giving its support to the Garo NGOs opposing the participation of non-tribals in the upcoming GHADC elections slated for October 12.
Joint publicity secretary of GNLA, Garo Mandei Ch Marak, in a communiqué to the media said that the armed group is giving its full support for the NGOs and their leaders who have been fighting for the Garo community.
“The recent FIRs against our prominent Garo leader Tengsak G Momin and his colleagues are some of the bitter dictatorial policies the government seems to have adopted for years now. We urge our true Garo brothers Tengsak G Momin, Pritam Marak, Dalseng Ch momin, Adinson Ch Momin, Brinbal M Sangma and others to lead their organisations from the front and continue their fight for the rights of the Garos,” stated Garo Mandei.
“Our organisation and the entire Garo Hills truly appreciate your leaderships and to have stood for the interest of our entire community that shall be remembered for ever. We assure our full support and ensure that for Garos we shall stand united,” he added.
The militant group also criticized Chief Minister Mukul Sangma over the issue, saying, “It is a shame that the chief minister is forcefully trying to bring in elements that people do not desire and similarly trying to crush local forces that are standing up to such shrewd ideas.”
The militant leader also urged the people of Garo Hills to put aside their differences and lend support to the leaders and remain united.
GNLA cadre surrenders in Tura
A teenaged militant of the banned GNLA outfit identified as Saint Civil D Sangma, aged 16 years, who went by the name of Jack, gave himself up to Tura police on Tuesday.
The militant hailed from Sambukolgre village of Selsella and had undergone militant training as part of the 6th batch of recruits of the GNLA. After completion of his training he was attached to Area commander Hedio’s command that operated previously in Chokpot region and recently was overseeing the outfit’s activities in West Garo Hills area.
