TURA, July 18: The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) on Sunday strongly condemned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for downplaying the need for the creation of separate states for Garos and Khasi-Jaintias claiming that the ‘irresponsible’ statement shattered the dreams of his late father, who, during his time, had advocated the idea.
Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma while reacting to the GSMC and HSPDP joining hands to pursue the demand had said that his government was not keen on the option for separate states for Garos and Khasi-Jaintias and that it was unnecessary.
Reacting to the statement, GSMC co-chairman, Balkarin Ch Marak, reminded that late PA Sangma had repeatedly spoken in favour of the separate state movement and it was due to this that the public had reposed faith in his leadership.
“Late PA Sangma, who was the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, had supported the demand for a separate Garoland state. In the 2014 Lok Sabha MP election, his main agenda was to fight for a separate Garoland state and accordingly he was once again elected as MP on that very issue. When Conrad K Sangma succeeded his late father, he had been repeatedly assuring the people of Garo Hills that he will follow in the footsteps of his father and fulfil his cherished dreams. The Garoland State issue being one of the cherished dreams of late PA Sangma, Conrad must now fulfill that very dream,” Balkarin said, while calling the public to join the movement so that the demand can be achieved.
