From Our Correspondent
TURA, Sep 4: The call for a public rally by the Non Gazetted Employees’ Association (NGEA) drew one of the biggest crowds ever for a protest in the town of Tura with more than 7,000 joining to show their solidarity with the protesting employees.
The NGEA began its protest for their unpaid salaries of 44 months more than 2 months ago through a sit-in demonstration with the initial demand being for the payment of 12 months’ salaries out of the 42 months due to them.
However with there being silence from the part of the NPP-led EC, the demand now has grown into the clearance of all of their dues.
Opposition MDCs from the TMC and BJP began their support after two weeks on the sidelines before various CSOs of Garo Hills, including the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AHAM, AYWO, FAF among others joining in with additional pending demands, including the creation of service, finance rules, the passing of the Garo Customary Law (GCL) bill, creation of a separate electoral roll.
The rally began from the premises of the office of the GHADC where the NGEA is currently protesting before snaking through the entire town of Tura before returning to the very place of protest. The rallyists involved everyone – students, teachers, employees, CSO members from across the five districts, Nokmas, elder citizens and all and sundry.
“We will continue our protest and plan to also inform the President of India, the Prime Minister as well as the Government of India about the situation we are facing. While the government has promised to pay our salaries regularly from November 1, we are yet to even receive a written assurance. Even if assurances are given, we will only take a call on the matter after consulting everyone supporting us in our protest,” said GHADC employee Timtim M Sangma.
“We are currently living a life akin to hell. How are we at fault for what the GHADC administration and EC is fully responsible for? Our situation is critical and we won’t relent until our dues are cleared this time,” added another employee.