Thousands of people are estimated to have descended at the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) premises today to demand the removal or resignation of the Chief Executive Member, Rakesh Sangma.
The protests in Tura were driven by a conglomeration of pressure groups from the region. They have been angry with the ascension of Rakesh to the CEM’s chair, alleging that he and his family do not follow Garo customs and traditions as they are more influenced by Rakesh’s father’s Nepali roots.
This was the fourth such agitation, following a ‘pens down’ strike within the council, two days of ‘non-cooperation’ and then a night road blockade last week. From tomorrow, the pressure groups will picket the offices of the GHADC for four days.
Security was increased in and around the council today, with police vainly trying to keep protestors off the grounds of the GHADC. The protestors outnumbered the security forces, however, and found their way past, though no reports of vandalism were received.
They then undertook a march through the town, through Hawakhana and Tetengkol before dispersing.
Speaking to the media, a pressure group leader reiterated that Rakesh’s mixed heritage is not the issue per se. “The reason we are demanding the removal of Rakesh as CEM is the fact that we know that he and his family have not followed Garo traditions. As CEM, he has judicial powers and that is something that we are all apprehensive about. How will he, in arbitrating cases regarding the customs of Garos, adjudicate when he and his family have not followed the traditions themselves?” he said.
