The A·chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has offered its support to other pressure groups in the Garo Hills protesting against the appointment of Rakesh Sangma as the chief executive member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
In a statement AHAM said that it will join hands with all the NGOs in the agitations on the issue. “We have already given the executive order to all the units of the organisation including Assam State Zone to join the meeting on Monday,” AHAM president Georgeprince Ch Momin said.
Maintaining that there is nothing personal or communal about the issue, he said, “It is important that the head of the institution build to uphold the traditions and culture should be a person who is brought up in the that culture and tradition and the head of that institution should be well versed with the traditions and culture.”
Stating that the culture and tradition of the Garos is at grave danger Momin said, “Such positions are compromised just to satiate the political mileage. GHADC is the institution which was established as the custodian of our culture and traditions and the A·chik nation cannot just be silent at the current scenario where our future is threatened.”
The organisation further said the fight may take long and it is important for the organisational leaders of AHAM that they are psychologically prepared for at least a year to demand removal of the CEM.
Meanwhile, the The A•chik Association For The Protection Of Environment (AAPE) too issued a statement of support to the pressure groups and said, “If he (Rakesh Sangma) does not step down and given a green light to wield power as CEM, it would set a bad precedence in the GHADC and Garo society.”
The association also questioned the NPP’s silence on the demand. “Why the pure A•chik MDCs were sidelined when the election to the post of CEM was held? What is the motive behind appointment of Rakesh Newar, whose identity was in question and who is alien to the culture and traditions of the Garos? Will he be able to solve the issues arising out of the Garo society which needs to take recourse to the customs and traditions of Garos?” they added.
