TURA, July 11: The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) which has been spearheading the statehood movement in Garo Hills, and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region have decided to work together and move ahead without hurting each others’ sentiments in their demand for separate states of their own.
The decision to move ahead jointly was taken in a meeting between the GSMC and the HSPDP which was held late on Saturday night at the Circuit House in Tura.
During the meeting it was decided that the Coordination Committee would be formed from the GSMC and the HSPDP to pursue the separate state demand and take necessary course of action. They also decided to submit a joint memorandum to the Government of India as well as to the state government.
“If both communities fight for the same issue there is probability of achieving the demand sooner. Working together also means that there will not be a quarrel over the job reservation quota or any blame game,” GSMC co-chairman Balkarin Marak said. Some of the leaders from the HSPDP who attended the meeting included its president KP Pangniang, its joint secretary P Rynthathiang and executive member Starting Pdahkasiej, while those from the Garo Hills side were GSMC co-chairman Balkarin Marak, youth leader Roger Benny A Sangma, GSU leaders from East Zone Williamnagar and GSMC leaders from various Garo Hills units.
