Meghalaya: Massive protest rally in Tura demanding removal of GHADC CEM

A massive protest has erupted in main urban hub of Garo Hills, Tura, demanding the removal of the CEM of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Members of pressure

A massive protest has erupted in main urban hub of Garo Hills, Tura, demanding the removal of the CEM of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Members of pressure groups and NGOs like the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, FAF, AYWO, and NESO took to the streets and marched all the way to the GHADC office to demand the ouster of CEM Rakesh A Sangma.

The pressure group members are holding a public meeting outside the GHADC office calling for the immediate removal of the current CEM, accusing him of not following the Garo Custom.

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CEM Rakesh Sangma, formerly known as Rakesh Newar Sangma, is accused of following the patrilineal system since his father was from the Nepali community.

The pressure groups feel that having someone who allegedly does not follow the Garo customs at the helm of affairs in the GHADC comes as a threat to the entire Garo community.

As the CEM is the custodian of Garo tradition and has the power to appoint Nokmas and take decisions for the community, an individual who doesn’t follow the Garo custom should not hold the post, the pressure groups said.

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Pressure groups have also launched a civil disobedience movement to push for the ouster of Rakesh Sangma. It may be mentioned that Rakesh Sangma took charge from Benedic Marak on January 31st.

Garo Hills-based NGOs have been protesting against Sangma’s appointment as CEM for the past couple of weeks. Their concern is that Sangma’s identity as an indigenous Garo is doubtful since his father was a Nepali and he has allegedly not been following Garo customs.

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