By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 11: A large number of Khasi and Garo youths gathered at Motphran on Wednesday for a public rally organised by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) to express solidarity with the A•chik (Garo) community in Garo Hills. The gathering highlighted growing concerns over alleged illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, and its impact on indigenous land, rights, and identity.
Participants carried placards and raised slogans against illegal immigration, demanding protection for indigenous communities. The rally came amid recent violence in West Garo Hills’ plain belt areas like Phulbari, Rajabala, and Chibinang, triggered by opposition to non-tribal participation in the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. Shops in Khyndai Lad and Motphran areas shut down, some voluntarily in support, others following requests from pressure groups. Security was tightened across the venue.
Leaders from groups including Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Jaintia National Council (JNC), and KHNAM attended.
Call for action on illegal immigration
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem addressed the crowd, stating the rally demonstrated unity with the A•chik people fighting illegal immigration. He affirmed Hynniewtrep’s firm support for detecting and deporting alleged illegal immigrants from Garo Hills, urging the state government to safeguard indigenous land, culture, and rights.
Synrem alleged decades of “vote bank politics” had led to intimidation and displacement of indigenous residents in affected areas. He expressed sympathy for families impacted by recent violence, referencing the death of ACHIK activist Dilseng M. Sangma and authorities’ failure to prevent such tragedies.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh described the rally as a united voice against challenges from alleged illegal migrants. He stressed the issue affected the entire state and all indigenous groups—Garos, Khasis, and Jaintias—calling for unity and resistance to threats against their land and future.
Sharp criticism of government
Synrem criticised the government’s postponement of GHADC elections as politically motivated to defuse public anger. He warned that unresolved issues could spread elsewhere and took aim at Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, noting the A•chik community’s past support and their potential influence on his political future if concerns went unaddressed.
He accused political leaders of inaction against illegal immigrants involved in activities like stone mining in plain belt areas.
Synrem launched a direct attack on former GHADC MDC Sofiur Rahman, alleging he had circulated messages claiming Phulbari, Rajabala, and Chibinang belonged to the Bengali community and intimidating indigenous residents.
Synrem challenged Rahman to face the A•chik and Hynniewtrep communities openly in Tura, asserting indigenous ownership of Meghalaya and rejecting claims by “Bangladeshi or Pakistani” elements.
Accusing Rahman of attempting to intimidate the indigenous people of Meghalaya, Synrem asserted that the A•chik and Hynniewtrep communities are the rightful inhabitants of the state. “Just remember that the A•chik and Hynniewtrep are the owners of Meghalaya, not some Bangladeshi or Pakistani,” he said
In a strong warning, Synrem alleged that attacks were being carried out against vulnerable indigenous residents in areas such as Chibinang because they were fewer in number. “You attack the poor and weak people in Chibinang, the Garo brothers and sisters, because they are in the minority,” he said.
Synrem further alleged that certain groups who had originally come to the region as labourers and tenants were now involved in illegal activities in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills, including illegal stone mining.
