SHILLONG, June 17 (NNN): The Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) recently organised the first-ever agitational programme demanding winter capital in Tura.
People from different walks of life including eminent leaders of different NGOs took part in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Thomas M Marak, president of ACHIK Krima Council informed the participants that although Winter Capital or Second Capital in Tura has been an agreed policy of the pioneers of the Meghalaya state, it has just remained a distant dream with no actual policy for implementation is yet to be implemented in 51 years of statehood.
Macklawrence M Sangma, working president of ACHIK Krima Council, chairing the program highlighted that in 51 years of the Meghalaya statehood, many NGOs of Garo Hills have aired and submitted a memorandum on the issue, however, he said that in the era of Garo people and history, this agitational program has crafted history by making it the first ever agitational program which was solely meant for the creation of Winter Capital or Second Capital in Tura.
Former GSU leader and former CEM of GHADC, P. K. Sangma taking part in the occasion informed that Winter Capital has been the right of the Garo People as it was an agreement by all the leaders of the state during the statehood movement and added that Meghalaya’s statehood is incomplete without the establishment of Winter Capital in Tura.
Bernita R Marak, General Secretary, ACHIK Krima Council elaborated on the technicalities of Winter Capital and clarified that Winter Capital in Tura when established will be the capital for the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary for 6 (six) months.
Taking the way forward on the programme, Shri Laben Ch. Marak, former MCS & former MPS, said that agitational program for Winter Capital is not a diversion tactic from the Reservation Roster, as ACHIK has been looking into the issue of the rights of the A·chik people and both Reservation Roster and Winter Capital are the rights of the A·chik people and the organization will not settle for less.
Others who spoke on the occasion and took part in the program were imminent leaders like the General Secretary from GSU(CEC) Interim Body, Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GSMC), Vice President of FKJGP – Garo Hills, Chris Kabul Sangma, Anand Momin, President of TGCSU, A·chik Mahindra Pik Up Union, etc.
The meeting concluded with an oath to take awareness on the issue of Winter Capital in Tura to every district, block, village and household in Garo Hills.
