Garos in Kamrup, Goalpara decide to vote for Congress alliance in Assam polls

BOKO: The Garo community of Kamrup and Goalpara districts of Lower Assam today decided to support the Congress-led grand alliance in the Assam assembly elections.

The reason for the decision is attributed to the BJP government’s failure to grant a Garo Autonomous Council for the holistic development of the community. The Congress has promised the same if voted to power this time.

A meeting was convened by Garo National Council (GNC) at Santipur under Chaygaon LAC today to discuss the community’s stance during the state election. The meeting, presided over by GNC adviser Suneet P Marak, was attended by members of Garo Women’s Council, Garo Youth Council and other Garo leaders from Kamrup and Goalpara districts.

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The matter of the meeting had elaborating Enindra U. Marak, President of Kamrup district GNC.

GNC Goalpara district president Arbitson Momin said only the Garo tribe in Assam has been deprived by government time and again.

“The Garo people of Assam have always been demanding a Garo Autonomous Council on satellite basis for the holistic development of the tribe living in Assam. The BJP government had earlier assured the same, but granted only a Garo Development Council just ahead of the state elections. The Garo people strongly opposed it. The Garo bodies told the government that they are not going to settle for anything below an autonomous council, but BJP has not responded,” Momin said.

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“On the other hand, the Congress has already assured that, if the Congress-led alliance is voted to power, then they will give us the GAC,” he added.

A predominant tribe in western Meghalaya, the Garo community inhibits only in Kamrup and Goalpara districts of Assam. Kamrup and Goalpara districts will go to polls in the third phase on April 6.