SHILLONG: A day after the delegation of several organisations from Garo Hills, including the Hajongs, Rabhas, Koches, Boro-Kacharies and Manns tribes, met DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh in Delhi and demanded an Autonomous District Council for them, the leader of the disbanded ANVC-B has asserted that Garo Hills belongs to Garos and not to sub-tribes
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, ANVC-B leader, Bernard N Marak said that Hajong, Koches, Rabhas, Boro Kacharis and Manns were given equal status by the Garos in Garo Hills and they enjoyed all privileges in Garo Hills but demanding a separate Council and reservation of 10 seats amounted to betrayal of Garos.
The extension to 40 seats in Autonomous District Councils is the demand of Garo organisations. We did not reserve it for Garos alone but the move by these tribes raises alarm about what could be their next move? All lands in Garo Hills belong to Garos. How could they demand a separate council,” he said.
“We have not deprived them of their privileges. Their accusation that Garos being biased is a matter of concern. I will call them for an open dialogue after our meeting at Delhi this week. They should be prepared,” he added.
He said that Hajong, Koches, Rabhas, Boro Kacharis and Manns tribes did not contribute in Garos’ movement which led to the Settlement through the agreement.
He said that they did not shed blood for Garo Hills yet they were treated equally, adding “We will not part even an inch of Garo’s land. They should learn to live peacefully with us in our land.”
Suspecting a political instigation behind the demand, he alleged that it is a politically planned move of the non-Christian tribals residing in Garo Hills