TURA: With decibels high and emotions higher, the rallyists seemed to be in no mood to settle for anything less than a Garoland state as several hundred youth under the aegis of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee took out a public rally on Wednesday to press for their demand for a separate state to be carved out of Meghalaya.
Leaders from student and social organisations rubbed shoulders with politicians as they took to the stage to address the supporters of the Garoland state movement at New Tura field.
The rally began with a procession from the Chandmari field to New Tura, passing through the main thoroughfares including the DC office complex.
Supporters chanting slogans for Garoland led the rally which covered a walk of around eight kms before culminating in a public meeting at the field.
“The struggle for a Garoland state did not start in 1912 but has been a demand since the time of Late Sonaram Sangma, the first Garo political leader from the time of the British rule,” said Niman Ch Marak, Chairman of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee which is leading the separate state demand.
The Co-Chairman of the GHSMC, Balkarin Ch Marak, commended the unity of the people in their support for the statehood demand.
“It has been more than five years but the movement continues to be strong gaining momentum with each day. Earlier, we had to bring in supporters from villages in vehicles to the rally. Now people are coming on their own as soon as they hear about the statehood rallies,” said Balkarin Marak.
The general secretary of the GHSMC and now an elected MDC of the GHADC, Augustine R Marak, while addressing the supporters said that just as the Naga and Manipuri speaking tribes were given their states on linguistic lines by the central government, so also should the Garos be given Garoland.
“At present there are 21 communities including the people of Garo Hills demanding for a state. Garoland has to be one of the 50 states in India,” said GNC MDC Augustine Marak.
Another Garo National Council MDC and current executive member in the GHADC, Jimberth Marak said that he along with two other elected members would continue their support and fight for Garoland state.
“If we did not get the support of the people then this movement would not have taken off. So we need to be unwavering in our struggle because our elected legislators have failed us,” said the GNC MDC.
Youth leader Roger Benny A Sangma said that the population of Garo Hills is sufficient for the demand for a separate state.
A supporter for the Gorkhaland state which is currently being demanded from West Bengal, Joydeep Chetry called on the people of Garo Hills to give their unflinching support for the Garoland demand.
“Just as we are fighting for Gorkhaland, so too are the people of Garo Hills fighting for Garoland. We give our support for this movement,” said Chetry. Several other public leaders also addressed the crowds on the statehood issue during the rally.