TURA: The Garo Hills State Movement Committee intensified its demand for separate Garoland with hundreds of youths joining a rally on Wednesday.
Youth leaders and social organisation members 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 thoroughfares, including the DC office complex, and covering around 8km.
Emotion ran high as supporters chanted pro-Garoland slogans on streets. “The struggle for Garoland 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 (GHSMC), which is leading the protests.
The co-chairman of 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 gain momentum. Earlier, we had to bring in supporters from villages to the rally. Now people are coming on their own,” said Balkarin.
The GHSMC general secretary and GHADC member, Augustine R Marak, while addressing the gathering, said, “As 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,” said the Garo National Council MDC.
Jimberth Marak, who is a member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council executive committee, said he and two other elected members would continue their support to and fight for Garoland state.
Jimbrth is also from the Garo National Council.
“If we did not get the support of 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 Jimberth.
Youth leader Roger Benny A Sangma said the population of Garo Hills is sufficient for the demand for a separate state.
A supporter for the Gorkhaland, which is currently being demanded in 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.
