Shillong, Mar 20: The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) has termed the detention of its leaders “unjust” and “unwarranted” and a blatant violation of the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
GSMC, Pedaldoba regional unit chairman Rimjen Ch Sangma stated that Balkarine Ch Marak, acting chairman and other leaders of the Garo Hills were detained for demonstrating against the ST certificate issue in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
“Such draconian measures are unjustified and egregiously undermine constitutional liberties, particularly given that the protests were peaceful, lawful, and within the bounds of the law,” Rimjen said in a letter to the Chief Minister.
He argued that the demonstration was a clarion call demanding the mandatory ST certificates to all aspirants in the GHADC elections. “Candidates lacking valid ST certificates must be disqualified from contesting, as the council’s raison d’être is to safeguard the rights of indigenous tribal communities,” he added.
Stating that the demonstration garnered overwhelming support from the populace, including political titans, Nokmas, Sardars, and representatives of indigenous communities across the region, he said that it is a collective outcry.
“Under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the people’s inalienable right to assemble peacefully and advocate democratic demands is sacrosanct. The unjust detention of these leaders grievously undercuts these fundamental democratic principles,” the GSMC leader stated.
He said that Balkarine and his colleagues have engaged in peaceful, lawful activism and therefore their detention under “dubious circumstances” is disturbing and appears to be a calculated attempt to quash genuine dissent rather than administer justice.
The GSMC chairman said the ongoing arrests only escalate tensions rather than solve the issues faced by the A’chik people.
