Shillong, June 1: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) MDC from Rongrong, Rinaldo K. Sangma, on Thursday slammed VPP MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit for ‘consciously’ trying to create a sense of discord between the Garos and the Khasi-Jaintia communities in the State over the Job Reservation Policy. At the same time, he sought status quo on the policy.

“It is disheartening to see despite the data and statistics available on which community among the Major Meghalayan tribal brethren has been enjoying perks and the lion’s share of the Reservation Policy since the inception of our State, MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit consciously is insistent on creating a sense of discord and widening the chasm between Garos & the Khasi Jaintia communities,” Sangma said in a press statement on Thursday.

He said it is prima facie evident by the numbers, that the Garos have been the deprived lot in all aspects and the High Court has acknowledged this deprivation, hence, it ordered for the roster system to be implemented. “Ardent’s adamant and callous attitude hinders the goodwill and harmonious co-existence between the tribals of Meghalaya,” he added.

“A leader of his stature should understand the repercussions of such impetuous actions. His call for review of the Reservation Police is censured and all backlogs belonging to the Garo community must be compensated prior the call for such review,” he further said.

“Let peace prevail and for now, let us all respect the wisdom and decisions of our founding fathers and maintain status quo on this matter,” Sangma said in a statement issued here.

Demanding that all backlogs belonging to the Garo Community must be compensated prior the call for such review, he suggested that the best way to solve the current imbroglio is the Apportion of Assets of the State from the clogged capital to other parts of Garo Hills for equal prospective progress in toto i.e the creation of Winter Capital as promised by the founding fathers of Meghalaya.

“May be in the coming years, with social equity and establishment of proper educational and administrative institutions, we shall compete at par and deliberate on reviewing the Reservation Policy,” he said.