TURA, May 1: Sending out a strong message of unity and solidarity, thousands of Garos belonging to Assam took part in a mega protest rally at Bakrapur (Nishangram) in Goalpara district on May 1st demanding from the Assam Government the creation of a Garo Autonomous Council which will cover all Garo inhabited areas providing governance by their own people.
The Garos of Assam have strongly opposed attempts to include them in the present Rabha autonomous Council since both tribes are a separate entity in culture and customs, food habits, lifestyle etc.
Earlier, efforts were made by the Assam Government to bring the two tribes under a single autonomous body which led to a sharp reaction and a rise in protest across the Garo areas.
Monday’s protest rally demanding the creation of the Garo Autonomous Council was supported by a plethora of Garo organizations whose members and leaders came to participate at Bakrapur.
Leaders and members of different Garo organizations from Assam, including AHAM Assam state zone, Garo Youth Council (Assam), All Assam Garo Gaonburha Association, Garo Mothers’ Union (Assam), Garo Students’ Union (Kamrup), A’Chik Border Association, Garo National Union (Assam) joined the several thousand tribal villagers in the protest meeting where the Chief Convenor of the Garos Demand Committee Bryan Marak stated that Garos must have a separate Autonomous Council of its own in Assam within the framework of the Indian Constitution for shaping their own destiny in respect of political, socio-cultural ethnicity, and education.
“Provision for separate Administrative Power to the tribals living in India as provided in the Schedules V and VI of the Indian Constitution is an instance in this regard. For the holistic development of this region, it is imperative on the part of the Government of Assam to take cognizance of the matter and acknowledge the rights of the Garos and take necessary initiatives in demand of Garo Autonomous Council on satellite basis in Assam,” stated Marak.
The leaders pointed out that the Garo community are the second largest ethnic tribe after the Bodo community in Assam,
“Only by fulfilling the demand of a separate Garo Autonomous Council in Assam can the aspirations of the Garo community in Assam be addressed where we can covet to preserve their unique culture, tradition and language.”
The Demand Committee Chairman, during Monday’s rally, stated that it is imperative on the part of the Government of Assam to take cognizance of the matter and acknowledge this right of the Garos and take necessary initiatives to create and fulfil the demand of Garo Autonomous Council in Assam and keeping the morale of the Garo people on a higher note and do justice to the Garos of Assam for the welfare and development of the Garo community is a positive initiative towards this cause.
Hailing the Assam government’s decision to protect the rights and privilege of the Garo tribe, Marak said, “Attempt for self-governance within the framework of the Indian Constitution with a view to establishing the ethnic identity and development appears to be the reason for the democratic movement by the Garo Community which is the second largest among all the tribes in Assam. The Garos are one of the indigenous tribes, “son of the soil” who must be given freedom to assert and determine the universally accepted principle of right to political self-determination.”
Also Read: BJP urges state govt to decide on cut-off date for implementation of roster system
