NGOs demand GHADC CEM’s resignation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 7, 2022

Garo Hills based NGOs on Monday opposed the election of Rakesh A Sangma as the new chief executive member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

A joint statement issued by the conglomeration of six NGOs – GSU, FKJGP, ADE, FAF, AYWO and NESO said that they vehemently oppose the Rakesh’s appointment to the post of GHADC CEM was due to his background.

GSU president Tengsak G Momin alleged that Rakesh A. Sangma and his siblings has in their school life always identified themselves as “Newar” and not “A. Sangma”.

“However, in their college life they changed their identity to “Newar Sangma” for reasons better known to them,” he said.

He said prior to the GHADC election, Rakesh Newar Sangma filed an affidavit and started identifying himself as Rakesh A. Sangma (the A representing the A.gitok clan).

“We suspect that it was politically conducive for him to identify himself as a bona-fide Garo to contest the election as the seat (7 Babelapara Constituency) from which he contested was a tribal majority electorate and people may not have taken very kindly to a non-tribal candidate,” Momin said.

The NGOs have also called for agitation in the Garo Hills region from February 8, demanding Rakesh to step down from the CEM’s post.