MAWKYRWAT: The South West Khasi Hills unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has warned the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC) against claiming “even an inch of land” in Khasi Hills or Ri Bhoi even as the union supported the committee’s demand for a separate state for the Garos.
“We have no right to interfere in their demands for Garoland and we support them (GHSMC). However, they should not claim even an inch of land in Khasi Hills. We will not allow any change in regard to the existing boundary of South West Khasi Hills district as well as other parts in Khasi-Jaintia Hills,” KSU South West Khasi Hills president Forwardman Nongrem said on Sunday.
GHSMC had recently submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding creation of Garoland by carving out Garo-inhabited areas in Meghalaya as well as in Assam.
“We requested GHSMC not to follow the proposed map of Garoland which was prepared and submitted by the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) in 2006 to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” Nongrem said and added that it would be a big mistake if GHSMC does that.
Nongrem said according to the proposed Garoland map of ANVC in 2006, many areas falling under South West Khasi Hills like Pommudar, Maheshkhola, Khonjoy, Nongjri, Nongkulang till Borsora and some parts of Ranikor were included.
“We request them to also inform the Syiem and pressure groups in Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts to avoid any conflict between Khasis and Garos,” Nongrem said.
