SHILLONG: UDP, which is in alliance with the Garo Hills-based Garo National Council (GNC) for the upcoming Assembly polls, said the party was not averse to the Garoland demand.
Former chief minister and UDP chief Donkupar Roy said on Sunday that there was no harm in supporting the Garoland demand if the people wanted it.
“Though we the Khasis and Garos are only small tribes, it is up to the people to demand separate state,” Roy said.
In March 2014, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had rejected a resolution moved by late GNC leader Clifford Marak for the creation of a separate Garoland state.
When asked about the resolution, Roy said that nothing is static in politics indicating that it can be brought to the House for approval.
Earlier this month, the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC) comprising GNC, GSU and others had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi demanding creation of Garoland.
The same memorandum was also submitted to Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju.
According to GHSMC, the demand for a separate Garoland dates back to pre-Independence time when Late Sonaram R. Sangma, the then Garo leader, a resident of Bakrapur, demanded a separate state for Garos.
Later, several pressure groups and political parties, including GNC and NPP, had raised the demand, but the state government had not made any commitment.
