SHILLONG:
Reacting to a recent statement by KHNAM working president Thomas Passah, ACHIK suggested that his party should, which propagates regionalism, should support the demand as it will bridge cultural, traditional differences and facilitate Khasi-Garo-Jaintia brotherhood.
ACHIK said that Passah was unable to comprehend why it and other NGOs are pursuing the demand to establish a winter capital, a statement said.
“Since you (Passah) have only observed Himachal Pradesh, please first be aware of which states have two and three state capitals. Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, which have two capitals each, were not mentioned. In the case of Uttar Pradesh Prayagraj is the Judicial Capital and Lucknow as the Administrative Capital.”
The ACHIK said that the desire for Tura to be declared the second capital or winter capital is a valid demand to achieve parity in terms of overall development.
This demand was first raised in 1972; however it has still not been met even 51 years later.
Reacting to Passah’s claim that the Garo Hills had received the lion’s share of development during the last few decades, ACHIK asked him to visit Garo Hills and compare it with Shillong.
The statement further stated that the MATI, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, NEIAH, IHM, NIFT, and Shillong Technology Parks are just a few of the large projects that are housed in the New Shillong Township. It is well known that Shillong receives the majority of the funding for these and other large projects.
“However, you will constantly claim that all development is being moved to the Garo Hills whenever any significant development occurs. Therefore, Passah, you have failed to comprehend the actual definition of the word “equality” which is the state of being equal, as well as how it will be burdened if the budget is split evenly between the two capitals,” it added.