ACHIK to begin indefinite hunger strike from July 11, demanding for backlog policy, winter capital in Tura

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 10, 2023

A·chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike from July 11, to demand for immediate implementation of backlog policy for Garos on reservation and winter capital in Tura.

A statement issued on Monday said the hunger strike will be led by the ACHIK Elder Laben Ch. Marak, former MCS & former MPS, till the government responded to the demand.

It said that the ACHIK has been demanding the government to implement the Reservation Roster with a cut-off date retrospectively for a long time but this has fallen on deaf ears.

The statement also said that Laben Ch Marak feels that it is injustice to the A·chik people if the backlog policy is not even discussed by the present government. The amended Office Memorandum (OM) issued on June 14, has induced more harm to Garo people rather than the benefits it deserves and the backlog which is needed remains to be unnoticed.

It also said that the ACHIK’s demand for winter capital in Tura has not been heard by the government of today.

The people of Garo Hills have been given a step motherly treatment despite having Chief Ministers for decades from Garo Hills region and the organisation feels that it needs to cease.

The ACHIK also called upon the people of Garo Hills to join hands in the struggle and take part in the hunger strike.

“The organisation understands that the hunger strike may continue for longer period of time as the government may or may not respond and the organisation therefore, has requested the volunteers partaking in the agitation only to partake if they are only ready to give away their life for the issues

of the A·chik tribe. The duration of the hunger strike will only depend upon the time taken by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to respond to the demands of ACHIK Society,” it stated.