Bernard rues exclusion of Nokmas from celebration

TURA, Jan 27: Invitation for Republic Day celebration was not extended to Nokmas from Garo Hills, Tura MDC Bernard Marak claimed in a statement as he expressed disappointment over their purported exclusion.
“I want to express my disappointment over continuous negligence of the district officials who, like every year, deliberately failed to send a simple invitation to the Nokmas who are the traditional heads of these lands as well as the MDCs, who are the representatives of the hill areas.
The MDCs and the Nokmas are the constitutionally recognised representatives who are authorities of the land in the Hill District. Unfortunately, like every year, no invitation was sent,” Marak said in a letter to West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner.
Stating that Nokmas played a pivotal role in the history of the Hills, Marak termed it as a ‘deliberate negligence’ which has occurred year after year. He stated that it amounts to gross violation of the people’s rights.