Garo bodies reject development council, demand autonomy

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

AGIA, March 17: A general conference of all Garos of Goalpara and Kamrup districts was held at Hudako village under Krishi Police Station in Goalpara recently.

More than 3,000 people attended the conference to discuss the issue of Garo Autonomous Council. Obish O Sangma, president of Garo tiol Union, presided over the meeting. The meeting discussed about the alleged change of the Chief Minister’s attitude towards the demand of the Garo people. They said that they could not understand why the Chief Minister, despite his repeated promises, had taken u-turn suddenly.

Based on the recommendation of various ministers, the Chief Minister in his budget speech on August 11, 2014, had said, “The Government of Assam is actively considering the creation of Garo Autonomous Council for the socio-economic development of the Garo people living in

Assam”.  Next, the Chief Minister, in his Republic Day speech at Guwahati Veteriry field, said that the Government of Assam had already considered creating the Garo Autonomous Council. But in the current budget session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister changed his decision and decided to form a Garo Development Council instead.

In order to counter the sudden change of the Chief Minister’s attitude towards their demands, the Garos of Assam, under the umbrella organization, GNU, which also includes top leaders of All Assam Garo Union, All India Garo Union, Asom Regiol Unit, Garo tiol Women Union, A’Chic Socialist Youth Front of India and  Garo tiol Council launched a protest recently.

All the Garo leaders condemned the speech of the Chief Minister and unimously decided to reject the development council. In the meeting GNU spokesman, Dr MS. Sangma said, “We need the Garo Autonomous Council. We will never support the Garo Development Council.”  After the meeting, a rally was taken out.  A team of the Garo organizations will meet the Chief Minister soon, sources said.