Shillong, March 24 (IANS)
The Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC) demanding creation of a separate Garoland state in western Meghalaya has urged voters in Tura parliamentary constituency to vote for the candidate whose party lists the Garoland demand in its election manifestos for the Lok Sabha elections.

“We appeal to the supporters for the creation of Garoland state to exercise their franchise for the political party having the Garoland demand in its election manifesto,” GHSMC chairman Nikman Ch. Marak said Monday.

The GHSMC — a conglomeration of several Garo organisations, including the Garo National Council (GNC), a regional political party — has been demanding the creation of Garoland state encompassing the five district headquarters of Garo Hills.

Marak said the creation of a separate Garoland can be the only solution for peace in the insurgency-ravaged districts of Garo Hills region.

Welcoming the recent address by former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Agitok Sangma on the need to review the demand for a separate Garoland, Marak said it is a political demand. The power to create new states rests solely with the parliament of India.

“If a veteran leader like P.A. Sangma is elected MP from Garo Hills and if he sincerely works for it then we are hopeful of seeing a new chief minister and the centre’s representative, the governor, in Garo Hills,” Marak said.

Sangma returned to the national political scene by seeking the mandate from Tura parliamentary constituency after his daughter Agatha K. Sangma decided not to contest the election.

Purno Agitok Sangma and Congress nominee Daryl William Cheran Momin are pitted against each other in the constituency.

On March 18, the Meghalaya assembly rejected a resolution moved by lone Garo National Council member Clifford R. Marak for the creation of Garoland state in the western part of the state.

  Committee, governer, Movement, returned, Sangma