From Our Correspondent
TURA, July 11: Members of the A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) began an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Mini Secretariat in Tura on Tuesday to demand implementation of a backlog reservation policy for Garos as well as creation of a winter capital in Tura.
The organisation is seeking an audience with Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma and has decided to wait it out indefinitely until he agrees.
“We have tried to meet the chief minister and representatives of the government several times in the recent past but were unable to do so. We want an audience especially with the CM so that we can be clear of what their intentions are. Right now, we do not know if there will be a backlog policy. We want the government to come clean,” said former MCS officer, Laben Ch Marak, who is leading the hunger strike.
According to Marak, the fast would go on until the CM gives them an audience along with some sort of assurance.
ACHIK general secretary, Bernitha R. Marak said, “We are not taking away anything from any community but are merely demanding what is rightfully ours. During the last 50 years, Garos have been denied their due and that is why we are demanding a backlog policy.”
With regard to the demand for creation of a winter capital in Tura, Bernitha said the promise of a second capital in Tura had been there since 1972. “The hunger strike would hopefully make the government take notice and make its stand clear on the issue,” she added.