TURA:
Garo group ACHIK, which is currently staging a hunger strike in Tura demanding a winter capital and filling up of backlog in recruitment of jobs, has announced that it is starting a signature campaign across the five districts of the region to show it has support of the masses.
The union had launched its indefinite hunger strike three days ago, however, the move has failed to make any headway with the state government remaining silent to the group’s demands by not extending an invitation for talks.
With major student and social groups of Garo Hills, including Garo Students Union, FKJGP, ADE, among others not joining the ACHIK protesters in their ongoing protest, the state government has not attended to the group, following the issue of reservation policy violation and demands for changes from another group in the Khasi Hills region.
Claiming that the campaign will focus on reaching out to citizens across all demographics, ACHIK secretary Thomas Marak said, “ACHIK believes that everyone has a role to play in shaping our collective future. ACHIK, dedicated to fostering holistic development and integration within our society, is calling upon citizens from all walks of life to participate in its signature campaign to make Tura as winter capital.”
“This signature campaign will serve as a powerful tool to express public support for ACHIK’s vision of holistic integration. By signing up, individuals will contribute to creating a collective voice that demands a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to development, encompassing aspects such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and social justice,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the protest group wants the backlog of vacancies for the Garo tribe to be filled from the inception of the state reservation policy, which is something the state has not commented upon apart from mentioning that a date for implementation of the roster system will be taken out in due course of time.