Former militant leader demands CAB in Garo Hills & seek action against Congress’ attempt to mislead people

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 6, 2019

SHILLONG: A former leader of the disbanded Achik National Volunteers’ Council-Breakaway (ANVC.B) said Garo Hills region need the Centre to implement the Citizenship Amendment Bill to protect the identity and interest of the indigenous people.

Bernard N Marak, who is also the chairman of the A’chik Matgrik Kotok (AMK), has also sought action against the opposition Congress for allegedly attempting to mislead the people that the CAB is anti-Christian and anti-tribal.

“We want the Centre Government to pass CAB and take strong action against the Congress leaders who are trying to make people believe that CAB is anti Christian and anti tribal,” Marak said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

He said after the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, Garo Hills need CAB to protect the Indigenous people’s interest.

His statement also came in the wake of protests by anti-CAB groups in Meghalaya and other North eastern states, demanding scrapping of the Bill, which according to them seeks to wipe out indigenous tribals of the region by giving citizenship to illegal immigrants.

While NGOs are also demanding implementation of NRC like exercise to flush out illegal immigrants and Inner Line Permit to prevent their settlement, Marak however said ILP and NRC will take time but CAB will not.

Stating that there is a fear among the people of Garo Hills that introduction of NRC in Assam will affect Garo Hills, Marak said, “Therefore, we need a defensive system and CAB is the only mechanism which will protect the indigenous people’s interest putting an end to the flow of illegal migrants.”

He said the Nokmas and other traditional heads should gear up to protect the indigenous people’s land under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule.

In the past, he alleged that Congress government introduced Non Hill areas (Khas Mahal, B Mahal etc) where non tribals could make patta in the Scheduled District.

“Since then, more facilities were provided to the illegal migrants making them their permanent vote banks. Even the original Muslim residents in the plain areas have been greatly affected by the flow of illegal migrants,” he added.

Asking the people of Garo Hills should stay away from Congress politics against CAB, the former militant leader said, “Congress government is trying to draw support from the common people by instilling fear when the truth is they are trying to protect their bite banks (illegal migrants). CAB is being propagated as anti Christian by the Congress leaders. On September 30, 2015 Congress massacred 9 innocent lives in twin firing incident. Congress plans to make more massacre for their political gain. Innocent people should stay away from Congress politics against CAB which is not against the interest of the indigenous people.”

He further accused the Congress of trying to protect the illegal migrants who have become their permanent vote banks at the cost of indigenous people.

“I did not come across any point in the CAB which states anything against the Christians or tribals. People should understand what CAB is before believing the Congress leaders who are corrupt politicians. The population ratio is rising in Garo Hills and there is no mechanism to check the illegal migrants. ILP and NRC will take time but CAB will not,” he said.

“Therefore, we must support a system which will secure the interest of the indigenous populace and which will put an end to the flow of illegal migrants in the scheduled areas. Strong action should be taken against the Congress leaders who are instilling fear among the common people by their false propaganda,” Marak concluded.