TURA, April 25: The Garo National Council (GNC) and the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) have cast aspersions on Phulbari MLA’s demand for creating a plain-belt district, with the GSU saying that it will oppose the move tooth and nail and the GNC arguing as to why demand for another district is unwarranted.
Phulbari MLA, SG Esmatur Momin, had on Wednesday informed that efforts are on to see that the demand for a separate district in West Garo Hills, comprising the plain belt, is realised.
Reacting sharply to this, the GSU from East Garo Hills maintained that a new plain-belt district, if formed, would further aggravate the problem of influx with people illegally migrating and settling there.
“We, along with other organisations, will fight through thick and thin and oppose the idea of dividing Garo Hills into any non-tribal district or state. Government should also set up checkpoints to thwart illegal migration from Bangladesh and neighboring states,” GSU president, Saljrang Tengrik R Marak, said.
The GNC, on the other hand, argued that there was no need for creation of a new district as residents of the region irrespective of caste, community and religion have been living together in peace and harmony since decades.
“West Garo Hills has plain and hill areas and has one civil sub-division with its headquarter at Dadenggre, which equally caters to the needs of different tribes and communities living under it. Therefore, demand for creation of a plain0belt district is unwarranted,” the GNC said.
The GNC also called for necessary amendments to bar non-tribals from participating in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
“The non-tribal residents of Garo Hills should consider the fact that the GHADC under Sixth Schedule is solely meant and constituted to safeguard the rights of property, land, culture, language, belief and customs, and constitutional rights in autonomously administrating the GHADC for and by the minority tribals residing in North East. The GNC highly regards the system of barring participation of non-tribals in KHADC and JHADC, and highly appreciates the non-tribal residents of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills in considering the sentiments of Khasis and Jaintias. Therefore, the GNC party would like to appeal to all bona fide non-tribals residents of Garo Hills to consider the sentiments of the Garos in the interest of peace and harmony among the mixed communities in Garo Hills,” general secretary of GNC, Henyshing A Sangma, said.
