TURA: In a major development similar to the agitation for creation of states like Telangana, supporters of the movement for creation of a Garoland state have decided to take their demand to the highest echelons of power in the country- New Delhi by staging a procession towards Parliament street on Wednesday.
Over a hundred volunteers from the Garo Hills Statehood Movement Committee (GHSMC), which is in the forefront of the demand for the creation of Garoland state out of the existing Garo dominated region of Meghalaya, have already left for New Delhi to participate in a first of its kind rally at the national capital.
“This demand for a separate state is not a new chapter in the political movement of the Garos. It has been going on for decades through different organizations and political parties, but successive governments at both the centre and the state have failed to pay attention to the peoples’ demand,” said GHSMC leader Nikman Ch Marak while speaking to The Shillong Times on Monday evening.
According to the GHSMC Chairman, dozens of supporters for a Garoland state will assemble at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi on June 6th during which leaders will raise the statehood demand. The supporters, who are expected to comprise mainly of Garo youth and elders will then proceed in a procession through Parliament street.
Seldom has a struggle for statehood in Meghalaya reached beyond the boundaries of the state, but the decision of the GHSMC to make their voice heard in the national capital and the corridors of power is expected to create a political ripple effect.
The Garoland demand was first moved by the oldest political party from Garo Hills, the Garo National Council, during the creation of the state of Meghalaya in the early 70s’.
GNC president and legislator from Chokpot, Late Clifford Marak, was a strong advocate for separate states for Khasi-Jaintia and the Garos. He was backed by the Khasi Hills based political party HSPDP and its chief Hopingstone Lyngdoh who was also on the same wavelength seeking a separate Khasi state.
With the passing away of the two leaders who advocated a separate state, the mantle has now been taken over by the younger generation of leaders of the two political parties, GNC and HSPDP, and more so by the GHSMC in the Garo Hills.