Shillong, July 10: A·chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) will begin its indefinite hunger strike from July 11, to demand for immediate implementation of backlog policy for Garos on reservation and winter capital in Tura.
In a statement, the ACHIK said the hunger strike will be led by the ACHIK Elder Laben Ch. Marak, former MCS & former MPS, till the government responds to the demand.
ACHIK has been demanding the government to implement the Reservation Roster with a cut-off date retrospectively for a long time but this has fallen on deaf ears, the organisation said.
According to the statement, Laben feels that it is injustice to the A·chik people if the backlog policy is not even discussed by the present government. The amended Office Memorandum (OM) issued on June 14, has induced more harm to Garo people rather than the benefits it deserves and the backlog which is needed remains to be unnoticed.
Winter capital
The organisation also said the ACHIK’s demand for winter capital in Tura has not been heard by the government.
The people of Garo Hills have been given a step motherly treatment despite having Chief Ministers for decades from Garo Hills region and the organisation feels that it needs to cease, the NGO said.
Call to join protest
The ACHIK also called upon the people of Garo Hills to join hands in the struggle and take part in the hunger strike.
“The organisation understands that the hunger strike may continue for longer period of time as the government may or may not respond and the organisation therefore, has requested the volunteers to take part if they are only ready to give away their life for the issues of the A·chik tribe”, it said.
The duration of the hunger strike will depend upon the time taken by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to respond to the demands of the ACHIK Society,” the organisation said.
