Pressure groups gherao GHADC

TURA: Dozens of young men from various Garo groups led by the GSU surrounded the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) on Friday demanding removal of a non-Garo MDC from the post of Chairman of the Forest Advisory Committee.
The organisations, particularly GSU central executive committee, along with the FKJGP, AYWO and ADE, have been opposing the appointment of Sofiur Rahman, elected MDC from Shyamnagar, who was made the chairman of the committee.
These organisations are against the appointment of a non-tribal to any post under the GHADC.
On Friday, members of the pressure groups held a meeting at the Tura Government college ground to raise three issues pertaining to the GHADC.
They demanded the removal of the non-Garo MDC, cancellation of a TNT licence given to a controversial businessman running GLR Pharmaceuticals, and removal of a nokma who allegedly sold tribal land to outsiders at Boldamgre and cancellation of land pattas.
On Friday noon, when Rahman went to occupy his office in the forest department wing, dozens of students from various groups surrounded the place demanding his exit. They shouted slogans and asked him to exit from the office.
The leaders of the organisations later met Chief Executive Member Dipul Marak where they expressed their opposition to Rahman, sought cancellation of the TNT licence and removal of the village headman.
These organisations have given a week’s time to the GHADC authorities to fulfil their demands.
Marak, while speaking to The Shillong Times, said he had a discussion with the leaders of the organisations at his office chamber.
“They had earlier also given an application opposing Rahman’s appointment. We have told them that we are going to take up this matter and take a decision within a week’s time. We also have to keep in mind that he (Rahman) is an elected member of the house,” said the CEM.