SHILLONG: The president of A’chik Youth Movement for the Betterment of the Society (AYMBS), Peter A Sangma, has supported the AHAM’s statement on stigmatisation of Garos, a report on which was published in this newspaper.
In a letter to the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills, the organisation said it received information last week that a non-tribal fishmonger attempted to enter Bathabari village when youths prevented him because of the lockdown. They also directed him to leave the village immediately.
Sangma also mentioned that every locality has sealed entry of outsiders ever since positive cases were identified in the neighbouring state. The organisation said the fishmonger probably returned to his neighbourhood and gave false information.
Sangma said a few days after the incident, two Garo youths from Bathabari went to Rajabala market to buy essential commodities but were targeted by a few non-tribals, who warned them that since Garos were not allowing their people to enter the village, they have also decided to ban Garos from entering their markets.
Sangma also said since non-tribals are a majority in the area, they are taking advantage of the lack of security personnel in Rajabala market.
The organisation informed that the non-tribals gheraoed Rajabala outpost after clashes erupted between betel leaf sellers and security forces on duty.
In the light of these incidents, AYMBS asked for deployment of paramilitary forces in the entire plains as a precautionary measure to avoid any kind of communal tension.
