Members of the Garoland State Movement Committee submit a memorandum on bifurcating Meghalaya to the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram. Photo: Special Arrangement
An organisation representing the matrilineal Garo ethnic community in Meghalaya has taken its Garoland statehood demand to New Delhi.Members of the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC), led by its acting chairman, Balkarin Ch. Marak met Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) and submitted a memorandum seeking the creation of Garoland State under Article 3 of the Constitution of India. The Article empowers Parliament to form new States and reorganise existing State boundaries.The other representatives of GSMC included its publicity secretary, Chevibirth Koknal, assistant general secretary, Tony Balsam Ch. Marak, executive member, Amresh Ch. Marak and organising secretary Jason Tekrang.In the memorandum, the organisation said the demand for Garoland dates back to 1895, when a patriotic Garo leader named Sonaram R. Sangma first raised the cause for a separate homeland during British rule. Later, leaders such as Mody K. Marak and Emonsing M. Marak sought the unification of the Garo-inhabited areas in Assam and the Mynmensing region (now in Bangladesh) within the Indian Union.The proposed Garoland map roughly covers the western half of Meghalaya, comprising 24 of the State’s 60 Assembly constituencies. “Among the other issues we highlighted include the salary crisis in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), infrastructure requirements, cultural recognition, and the preservation of traditional institutions through the construction of Nokpantes (bachelors’ dormitories) for each of the 12 Garo sub-tribes,” Mr. Tony Marak said.The GSMC emphasised providing relief to more than 1,350 employees of the GHADC, who have remained without salaries for 43 months. “This is causing severe hardship and crippling the council’s ability to discharge its constitutional duties under the Sixth Schedule,” he said.The GSMC said Mr. Oram assured them of examining their demands and considering them following constitutional provisions. Published - August 20, 2025 12:06 pm IST
