SHILLONG: A day after the delegation of several organisations from Garo Hills region met DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh in Delhi and demanded an Autonomous District Council for them, the leader of the disbanded A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) Bernard Marak has asserted that Garo Hills belongs to Garos and not to sub-tribes.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the 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 the region but demanding a separate Council and reservation of 10 seats is a betrayal of the Garos.
The extension to 40 seats in Autonomous District Councils is the demand of Garo organizations, he said, adding, “We did not reserve it to Garos alone but the move by these tribes is alarming and what could be their next move? All lands in Garo Hills belong to Garos. How could they demand a separate council,” Marak said.
He further added that the natives have not deprived other tribes of their privileges. However, the leader said that accusing the Garos of being partisan is a serious matter.
“I will call them for an open dialogue after our meeting in Delhi this week. They should be prepared,” he added.
Marak said that Hajong, Koches, Rabhas, Boro Kacharis and Manns tribes did not contribute in their movement which led to the peace settlement through an agreement.
He said that they did not shed blood for Garo Hills, yet they were treated equally.
“We will not part with even an inch of Garo land. They should learn to live peacefully with us in our land”, he said.
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.