The National Federation for New States (NFNS) and the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) have organized a “huge gathering” at Te’ Teng Aja Playground here on October 29th, and they have called for widespread participation by citizens from all walks of life as well as members of various social organizations and NGOs in the state to strengthen the long-standing call for a separate Garoland State. Vice-President of the National Federation for New States Nikman Ch. Marak has issued a request for widespread attendance at the event (NFNS).
The pledge made by the leader of Meghalaya, Purno Agitok Sangma, to fight for a separate state for the Garo people during his last parliamentary election in 2014 is again being revived. The former Lok Sabha Speaker, who passed away in March 2016, had made the demand for Garoland as part of his political platform during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.
Four years prior the notion of a distinct Garoland assembled more than 400 residents of the Garo Hills region gathered close to the secretariat. The people made a show of their desire to secede from the Khasi-Jaintia hills region and form their own state, led by the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) and other groups including the Garo Students’ Union, Mother’s Union, Federation of A’chik Freedom, and A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement.
“Our demand for a separate state for the Garos is made very clear in our statement. It has been a long-standing need. We are hopeful that conversation will help to settle our request. According to committee head Nikman Ch. Marak, the federal and state governments should start a conversation with us to address our demand.
