Tura, April 08: The GSU would like to state that it wishes to congratulate and support the outgoing ruling Executive Committee of the GHADC which includes the NPP and the GNC for its vision and strong yearning to encapsulate the ancient customary laws and traditions of the Garos. The customary laws of the Garos identify us as a unique indigenous people in this wide world. The codification of Garo Customary law(GCL) is a welcome step to possibly address the burgeoning demographic imbalance of Garo Hills.
Majority of the Hindus and Muslims and other tribals want to remain as themselves and are proud of their culture and traditions what is wrong with the need by the majority of Garos to be Garos. Besides the GCL notes “on the commencement of this act/law” which means the Garos of mixed blood before this act will remain as Garos, only it will have a Damocles’ sword effect on future inter marriages and their descendents. The GCL lays down no specific rules against a Garo wishing to marry a non-tribal but only that their descendents will have to forgo their tribal status is limpid. The argument by the newly formed AACF that it will divide the Garos is baseless with sophist rants.
Who wants Garo Hills to be another Tripura? Though this comparison has become old and repeated it does alert a community to what can happen with unrestricted change in the demographic structure of the region. The GSU said that,We all know Tripuris are ruled by Bengalis and no amount of embracing of the globalization concept of the world is going to bring peace to Tripuris and Garo Hills will become a powder key which will be divided on communal grounds should the present silent invasion continue. The GCL seeks to address the issue of preserving the identity of the Garos before Garo Hills is swamped by outsiders and the ensuing consequences of drastic demographic change are irreparable.
The Land Transfer Act has helped us to a good extent in maintaining the Garos and tribals rights on land though it is riddled with flaws which allow the occupation of the tribal land confounded by inefficiency and corruption in the ADC has allowed for the violation of the act. The GCL has the potential to further strengthen the Land Transfer Act by removing the ability of indirect transfer of land to a non-tribal by way of marriage. Not only that there has been many cases of non-tribals marrying a Garo girl for business and have left them stranded or tortured with many coming to the GSU to report on their non-tribal husbands. We support the right of the women to be treated as equals and their equal representation but harbors apprehensions of the possibility a Garo women contesting elections, wins and the non-tribal husband interfering in tribal affairs.
The GCL as is has not added any new laws especially in the “crucial points of codification” but simply a codification of our ancient laws and customs. So far the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to preserve the identity and land of the Garos have worked to an extent but its provisions are being violated and have been eroded by gradual violation of our basic customary laws thereby diluting our social demography. Garo Hills will one day pay dearly as a result of silent invasion of the illegal Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants so the codification as Garo Customary Laws (GCL) will be a welcome respite and a stronger tool to deter further disturbances to the demography of the region.
The GSU said it is true, there could be minor lapses but overall it will prove to be an effective fight against dilution of the Sixth Schedule, customary laws, strengthening and correcting of the Nokma system to its true tradition, strengthen the LTA and reduce violation of its provisions etc..
The GSU CEC wants the codification of the Garo Customary Law for greater benefit of the Garos and demographic integrity of Garo Hills so that its territory is not lost to outsiders. In short, the GSU supports the GCL and wants its immediate acceptance as a valid customary law and is ready to fight for it. GSU would appreciate very much the support of the other NGOs and they must come out to publish in the newspapers as a show of support to GCL, said the GSU president Tengsag Momin in the press statement issued to the media houses today.
