Shillong, Sep 4: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) employees under the banner of the Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) drew one of the biggest crowds yet seen in its ongoing protest for the release of pending salaries from the district council.
More than 7,000 people joined a public rally in Tura in support of the employees today. The GHADC has now accrued 44 months’ worth of salaries owed to its staff.
The protest began over two months ago as a sit-in demanding payment of at least 12 months’ of arrears. The GHADC has been unable or unwilling to meet this demand, prompting the protestors to now demand for a full clearance of all outstanding salaries.
Opposition politicians, civil society groups, pressure groups, church elders and others have lent their support to the protestors at some point or another. Certain groups have added their own demands on top of the NGEA salary pleas.
The rally, which began and ended at the GHADC office where the sit-in continues, featured a cross-section of society. Participants condemned the GHADC top brass and the NGEA reiterated its refusal to accept the five months of dues proposed by the GHADC.
