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GHADC CEM’s mother gainsays claims, clears air on allegations

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TURA, Feb 8: Gracie Margaret A Sangma, the mother of Rakesh A Sangma, the Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), has rubbished claims made by the agitating groups of NGOs who claimed that the CEM never used his Garo surname and lived as a non Garo all his life.
In a statement on Monday, the NGOs, including the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AYWO and NESO, had made various claims to support their agitation for the removal of Rakesh as CEM even going to the extent of alleging that the CEM had used ‘Newar’ and not ‘Sangma’ as his surname during his school days.
Rakesh’s elevation to the post of CEM is being opposed due to his mixed parentage, with the NGOs claiming that he has never lived the Ac.hik traditional life.
“I, being the mother of Rakesh, would like to set the record straight. My son has always been Rakesh A Sangma. He has never had a change of surname. I am an Ac.hik by birth and that itself identifies my son as an Ac.hik,” said Gracie Margaret in a statement on Tuesday.
Retorting to the claims of the NGOs that unlike the Garo tradition that sees men live in their wife’s house after marriage, Rakesh and his wife were living in his parents’ house, Gracie Margaret stated that it was an understanding between the two families.
“We live in a cordial manner at home, adhering to normal civil norms at all times. We do not need to highlight how we live. Our family life is a private affair and not a tele-serial,” she added.
She added that her family has been following Christian traditions and festivals since the time of their forefathers.
“My father-in-law, Man Bahadur Newar and his father had made Tura their home. My late father-in-law was an MLA (1972) and an MDC later. He had his roots at Chandmari, Tura, before constructing a house in Lower Babupara, Tura,” she asserted.
Gracie further cleared the air on the fact that her son, Rakesh, was democratically elected to the GHADC and as CEM and would discharge his duties according to the set laws laid down in the Sixth Schedule governing the GHADC.
“Every organisation has a set of rules or laws that govern an establishment. The GHADC too has a ‘Green Book’ which guides the GHADC to adhere to the correct path of governance. One cannot be whimsical in governance. Every act of governance must go by the book. My son is an Ac.hik and he is well aware of his responsibilities and duties to his Ac.hik brethren and to the GHADC,” said Gracie Margaret.
Appealing to the NGOs that have been opposing the elevation of Rakesh as CEM, his mother hoped that her statement would clear the air on the situation and the NGOs would call off their protests.

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