Tura, Jan 27: The Conglomeration of NGOs of Garo Hills on Saturday held public meeting at ‘Matchakol A’dinggre’ playground, this is part of the sensitization under the slogan “ “Save Garo Hills, Save North East” regarding the Citizenship Bill 2016 of the central government.
The NGOs who took part in the public meeting are,NESO, GSU, ADE, FKJGP where hundreds of residents also participate in the gathering mostly elders, women. Speakers in the gathering took strong exception about the ‘Second Class’ treatment being meted out towards the people of NE, more specifically the Tribals of the region and urged all to be united in this time of injustice.
President of GSU, Shri Tengsak Momin, while addressing the attendees of the gathering cautioned the grave consequences of the CAB and urged all to be firm and fight for our Survival. ‘ BJP led NDA is forcing to accept the Bill by placing unreasonable, dangerous which will pave the way for people from Bangladesh to inter India.
The unabated inflow of illegal immigrants’ from Neighbouring Countries, especially Bangladesh, is posing serious threat to our National Security. The ‘unaccounted’ inflow of Foreigners’ will deplete the Economic opportunity for Indigenous Tribe and thereby exploiting our rights.’ The GSU President alleged that “NDA is pushing this ‘Notorius’ idea to have political footprint in WB. They want to consolidate their loss in Hindi heartland. They are polarising the Nation on the lines of religion”.
Mr Manseng Sangma, Asst Secretary General of NESO also spoke on the importance of ‘taking pride’ in the Indigenous Names. ‘Our language is our identity. If language is compromised, our identity will be lost in oblivion. Hawakhana, Araimile, Dermile, Prahari Nagar and many more should be change. The concerned authorities should take note of it and do the needful. Don’t force us to take the task into our own hand.
This nomenclature served no purpose and majority is of the opinion that this should be done at the earliest.’ “Many of our A’chik brothers outside Garo Hills gradually losing their language and most of them are trying very desperately to promote and preserve our language despite all the political and social hindrances. But in Garo Hills mostly in West Garo Hills , it was going opposite. Instead of having pride in naming our Localities with Indigenous Names, We are outsourcing our Localities to the ‘Alien’ Nomenclature. We are being enslaved by the Foreign language”.
The General Secretary of AYWO Shri Sengbath Chambugong stressed on total revamping of District Council and stated that it is a high time for us to join hands with Khasi and Jaintia brothers’ and strive towards the common objective. AYWO General Secretary also reminded the crowd that in 2015 GHADC election, we genuinely tried to sensitise people but we could not manage to convey the message due to time constraints.
“Our Core objective is to remove the illegal immigrants, be it CAB, Entry Exit Point, ILP, GCL etc. Our Core agenda is to protect our identity and we must go for multi layered protection from the intruders’. Hence, District Council should amend Rule 128 of Assam and Meghalaya(Constitution of District Councils) to provide necessary protection to the Indigenous people of the state.
This Rule is detrimental to the Welfare and protection of Garo Indigenous Tribe of Meghalaya. And if GHADC tend to ignore our plea which will protect our present and future, please be informed that, surely, expect to face the Music sooner or later. We don’t want any showdown with Council. Therefore to defend our identity, We need a bold decision to take”.
In order to preserve the identity of Indigenous Tribe, we need a strong law. And the amendment to this Law will served the purpose. Constitute the panel of experts to examine the Rule and amend it to the best purpose of Indigenous community” said Mr Chambugong.
The ADE President Dalseng Bira Momin while addressing the Crowd, reminded how Garos in Tripura gradually slowing down in population. ‘If we analyse thoroughly about the matter, one can find that inter marriage is the major factor. So to avoid such circumstances in near future, We earnestly needs a law which will act as a guardian of our tradition in written in one hand, and to protect and preserve our present for the well being of tommorow and for that purpose Garo Customary Law (GCL) is best suited.’
The ADE President also expressed disappointment over the manner and speed in which MDA government is taking up the pertinent issue of our Rights.”We doubt the intention and sincerity of MDA government in dealing GCL.
Why the government is delaying to recommend and suggest the Governor about the bill and ‘advise’ the Governor, since the Nominal Head of the state is bound to act as per the advice of Council of Ministers’? The dream of our Brothers’ in Khasi Hills, Khasi Lineage Bill is passed in KHADC and awaits the nod off Governor.
This crucial Bill is pending for all these days’ and GCL have also received the same fate.” “GCL is our Right and MDA’s Council of Ministers’ should recommend and request through District Council Affairs(DCA) Department, Govt of Meghalaya to the Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya to give his assent to the bill and becames an Act.” Said Mr Lyiend R Marak in the press statement issued to the media today.
