Veteran Garo Movement leader retires

TURA, May 21 ? The last surviving Garo MLA of erstwhile Assam and former MLA of Meghalaya who actively participated in the Hill State Movement leading to the creation of a separate State of Meghalaya carved out of Assam, Grohonsingh A Marak, has called it a day, Marak, who was closely associated with the Garo National Council (GNC), tendered his resignations to the GNC president, Clifford Marak, on Wednesday citing ill-health ? having attained the age of 77 years he urged the GNC president to consider his resignation as he wanted to lead a retired life. Having served in the central executive committee of the GNC for many years Marak said that he made up his mind to resign with great emotion. Grohonsingh Marak first became an MDC from Bajengdoba constituency in 1964 when Garo Hills was still a part of Assam. In 1967 he was elected as an MLA to the Assam Assembly. From 1972 to 1983 he was MLA in the newly created state of Meghalaya. He is presently the only surviving Garo MLA of Assam. Among the first leaders of the Hill State Movement only B B Lyngdoh, Edwin Bareh, Hopingstone Lyngdoh, Albinstone Sangma, and Grohonsingh Marak are surviving. During the movement these leaders alone with late Captain Williamon Sangma, the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and Mody Marak led a non-violent agitation pressing for the creation of a separate state. They impressed upon then Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi, on the need for the hill tribes to have a separate identity for preservation of their ethnic and cultural lifestyle and the economic development of the region. Their non-violent demand ultimately culminated in the creation of Meghalaya state on January 21, 1972. Inspite of Meghalaya being a separate State for the last 30 years all did not seem to go well as mistrust between the Garos and the Khasis have begun to appear. Both sides are asking for a separate State as they feel that the presence of one does not go with the other. These demands have strongly been opposed by the Garos. But the GNC, a political party which has been in existence since the Hill State Movement, felt that it was high time the Garos got their own State. They thus began a political movement, which is gaining momentum, seeking a separate Garoland State comprising of the three existing districts of Garo Hills. Grohonsingh Marak, ever since his inclusion into the GNC, has played an important role in demanding for a separate State. His exit from the party will clearly be a large blow for those demanding a separate State.