TURA: Supporters of a separate state for the Garo Hills region have decided to file a RTI with the Union Home Ministry to seek the original map of the erstwhile Garo Hills district drawn 146 years ago by the first British surveyors.
The statehood supporters are seeking the boundary of the original map drawn up by the then British surveyors, Late Kelso in 1849-1850 and Late W.O.A. Beckett in 1872, to strengthen their stand on the demand for a separate state.
“Based on the findings of the RTI we shall take a legal course of action for the demand of a separate state,” said Nikman Ch Marak, Chairman of the ‘rechristened’ Garoland State Movement Committee.
The members of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee decided to replace “Garo Hills” word with “Garoland”.
A decision to change the name of the movement was taken during its executive general meeting held at Rongram community hall, 18 km from Tura, on Saturday.
“For the convenience of the general public and to bring about more relevance to the long-cherished aspirations of the citizens of Garo Hills demanding a separate statehood for their own, it was unanimously decided during the executive general meeting to rename the organization from GHSMC to GSMC,” said Marak.
The organisation has also passed a resolution to hold a public rally and procession in Shillong in November.
The GSMC has reiterated its stand to pursue the statehood demand by urging upon the current government to introduce the Garoland state bill in the upcoming assembly session, while at the same time it would hold a mega rally in Shillong to prove to the lawmakers of the state the seriousness of the matter.
The Garoland State Movement Committee has also called upon well-wishers to contribute Re 1 per household each month for the sustenance of the movement.
