TURA: The protest against the possible imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Garo Hills continues with the holding of rallies and meetings every other day by various NGOs, church leaders and social organizations in different parts of the region.
In Rongjeng, various NGOs held a meeting cum public protest rally on Wednesday in which over 6000 people including senior citizens, Church leaders, Nokmas, Sordars, Laskars and students participated.
The Council of Nokmas recently called a meeting in Tura, where all 1500 Nokmas resolved to strongly oppose the enforcement of the AFSPA in Garo Hills. It is also decided to urge the Government of Meghalaya to be determined in bringing about normalcy in the state and at the same time appealed to militant outfits not to create such situations so as to invite the enforcement of the AFSPA.
In Chokpot region of South Garo Hills a joint prayer service aimed at bringing back normalcy to Garo Hills was held. During the prayer meeting members present expressed displeasure over the HC directive to enforce AFSPA in Garo Hills and appealed to the Centre not to go ahead with it.
The Alliance of Christian Churches (ACC), a conglomeration of all Churches in Garo Hills held an emergent meeting at Tura Town Church in Dakopgre on Wednesday where it questioned the viability of the act to achieve its purpose citing various instances of harassment, torture and rape of innocent citizens in Manipur which is currently under the AFSPA.
The All Kharkutta Village Employment Council Development Association also issued a statement where it strongly objected to the act being enforced in Garo Hills.
GHSMC, FKJGP, AYWO, GSU from Garobadha also opposed AFSPA proposal.
