SHILLONG: The capital city of Shillong witnessed a strong show of unity between the Hynniewtrep and Achik communities on Wednesday as the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) organized a large gathering at Motphran to condemn the recent unrest in Garo Hills.
Addressing the rally, COMSO Chairman Roykupar Synrem said the gathering was meant to send a clear message that the Hynniewtrep people stand firmly with their Achik brothers and sisters in their struggle to remove illegal settlers from the region.
“We want to demonstrate that the Hynniewtrep community fully supports the Achik people as they fight to expel illegal settlers from Garo Hills,” Synrem said. He added that COMSO members are prepared to travel to Chibinang or any other part of Garo Hills if necessary to stand alongside the local community.
COMSO also criticized the state leadership, alleging that the ongoing tensions in Garo Hills stem from what it described as “hypocritical leaders” who exploit communities for vote-bank politics.
Sending a direct message to Conrad K. Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Synrem warned that the Achik community played a crucial role in his rise to power.
“Do not forget that you became Chief Minister because the Achik people supported you. If they choose, they can take that power away in 2028. You have only three years left to safeguard the rights, traditions, and land of the Achik people and ensure that Bangladeshis in Garo Hills are identified and deported,” he stated.
The organization also reacted strongly to a claim reportedly made by Safio Rehman, who allegedly stated that Phulbari, Chibinang, and Rajabala belong to “Bangals.” COMSO warned that such remarks would not go unanswered and asserted that indigenous residents would identify and confront those making such claims.
“We will show you who the real owners of Achik land are,” the organization declared.
COMSO further accused both the present and previous governments of failing to control illegal immigration, alleging that outsiders have increasingly taken control of local trade in parts of Garo Hills.
The group also linked the death of Dilseng M. Sangma to what it described as weak governance, stating that the government must take responsibility and act decisively to address the growing tensions.
COMSO urged the public to remain united and vigilant. The organization claimed that the postponement of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections was a political strategy by the National People’s Party (NPP) to calm rising public anger.
COMSO called on the Achik community to remain united in defending their ancestral land and protecting indigenous rights in Garo Hills.
