‘Numal Momin trying to reconstitute GDC against people’s will,’ say Garo organisations

Boko, Sept 20: The Garo community, Assam’s second-largest tribal group, has reiterated its long-standing demand for an Autonomous Council, rejecting the Assam government’s efforts to reconstitute the Garo Development Council (GDC) saying that the GDC has not effectively addressed the critical issues facing the Garo population of the state.

Despite establishing the GDC on January 28, 2021, under pressure from the Garo community, the council has remained inactive for over two years due to the non-release of funds.

On December 12, 2023, the Finance Department released a small amount of funds to the GDC, but the Garo community, with a population of 6,91,765 in the state, rejected the GDC. They reiterated their demand for an Autonomous Council, arguing that only an autonomous body could ensure the all-round development of their community.

On September 19, members of various Garo civil organizations, including the Garo National Council (GNC), All Assam Gaonburha Association (AAGA), Garo Youth Council (GYC), Garo Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC), Garo National Union (GNU), GNU Women Wing, Garo Women Council (GWC), and Garo Mothers Union (GMU), convened at Santipur village in Kamrup district. The meeting was a unified show of opposition against the government’s move to reconstitute the GDC, which they believe is against the will of the Garo people.

It is alleged that Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin is reportedly pushing to reconstitute the GDC, aiming to replace the current chairman, Alex K Sangma.

Marak revealed that in August 2023, a meeting was held at Momin’s official residence, where some Garo leaders were asked to sign documents supporting the reconstitution of the GDC. While some leaders signed in favour of nominating members to the GDC, others refused, signalling divisions within the community regarding this approach.

Marak also criticized Numal Momin for not advocating for the Garo community’s demand for an Autonomous Council, accusing him of failing to understand the aspirations of the Garo people in Assam. The community remains firm in rejecting the GDC, pressing for an Autonomous Council to represent their needs betterand secure comprehensive development.

Garo Women Council (GWC) president Baiola Sangma strongly condemned the recent actions to reconstitute the Garo Development Council (GDC). Sangma criticized the closed-door meeting held at the official residence of Assam Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Numal Momin, calling it an act of “cowardice” and accusing the so-called leaders involved of having no real public support or connection to the Garo community. She urged leaders to make decisions openly and in consultation with the public.

As a result of their involvement in supporting the GDC, the Garo community has decided to expel two prominent leaders: GNC Assam Zone president Arbitson G. Momin and Garo Youth Council (GYC) Central Executive Committee president James B. Sangma.

The community no longer recognizes these individuals as associates of the GNC and GYC, due to their alignment with the GDC, which is rejected by the majority of the Garo people.

GNC general secretary Enindra Marak further emphasized the community’s continued appeal to the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, to address their grievances and fulfil their demand for an Autonomous Council. Marak reiterated the Garo organizations’ commitment to the socio-economic development and cultural preservation of the Garo people, stressing that an Autonomous Council is essential for achieving these goals.

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