SHILLONG:
A Garo body, Achik Conscious Holistic Integrated Krima (ACHIK) organised an awareness campaign on winter capital/second capital with six A’khing Nokmas in Wangala Building, Asanang in West Garo Hills on April 24.
The group, as a part of mobilisation, had organised the campaign for the people residing in these six A’khing lands.
Speaking on the occasion, ACHIK general secretary, Advocate Bernita R Marak, gave a clarification on the Job Reservation Policy, 1972 and the emergence of roster system which was a verdict of the high court, a statement said.
Marak informed the gathering on the history of the verdict of roster system in job reservation policy.
She also clarified on the matters of cut-off date o and why the Achik community needed to stand together on the issue.
The issue of winter capital was also brought up by the education secretary, Macklowrence M Sangma, where he clarified that the demand for the second capital in Tura is not a new one but has existed since before the creation of the state.
He informed that second capital in Tura was in agreement with all the stakeholders during the creation of the state.
He assured that ACHIK as an organisation is working, mobilising and in tandem with the other organisations in Garo Hills.
He said that winter capital is not the issue of only one organisation but it is the issue of the Achik nation and regretted that some organisations claim it as their issue.
He opined that winter capital should unite the Garos and other tribes or non-tribals across Garo Hills adding that he hopes to see the reality soon.
The realisation of the winter capital would depend on the unity and the massive movements that the people of Garo Hills can create, he further said.