Garo autonomous council demand
A view of press conference of the United Garo Autonomous Council Movement Committee . Image credit - Northeast Now

The United Garo Autonomous Council Movement Committee (UGACMC) has withdrawn its call for a 48-hour Assam bandh that began from Tuesday morning.

UGACMC, an umbrella organisation of several groups of Garo people living in Assam, called for the Assam bandh demanding the creation of a separate autonomous council for the Garos living in Assam.

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“We have withdrawn the bandh call after the Goalpara superintendent of police, Susanta Biswa Sarma, assured us to arrange a talk with the government,” said Alex K. Sangma, chairman of UGACMC.

“However, we will continue our agitation if the talk fails,” added Sangma.

Also read: 48-hour Assam bandh from Tuesday demanding separate autonomous council for Garos

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Talking to Northeast Now, Goalpara district police chief Susanta Biswa Sarma said, “Bandh culture doesn’t help any community. Moreover, Goalpara is a peaceful district. So, I requested the Garo leaders to refrain from agitation and to withdraw the bandh.”

“I have assured them that I would inform the government about their demands and the need for a talk,” Sarma added.

There were reports of pelting stones at the commercial vehicles plying along the Assam-Meghalaya border by the bandh supporters.

“Glass of a goods-carrying truck was broken as attacked by miscreants at Nokhmakhundi. Another incident of stone-pelting took place at Paikan, however, no damage was reported,” said sources.

 

Sofikul Ahmed is Northeast Now Correspondent in Goalpara. He can be reached at: [email protected]