Shillong, June 22: The breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), today announced that it would relax the ongoing agitation in Garo hills for two weeks, as some time would be given to the 24 legislators from the region to make their intentions clear.
“The ongoing agitation against the 24 legislators of Garo hills will be relaxed for two weeks. The ANVC (B) felt it necessary to give some time to the legislators to make their intentions clear before we start the third phase of agitation,” Rimpu N. Marak, the chairman of the outfit, said in a statement.
The group also appealed to the legislators to review their stand, their responsibilities and duties towards the people who voted for them and the areas they represented.
“The legislators should understand that the needs of the people are a priority, and they should speak on behalf of the people they represent, before they start campaigning for the 2013 elections. They should show accountability to the common people,” Marak added. He also said within the next two weeks, the legislators would get time to voice the problems and needs of the people before the government.
“However, if nothing happens in these two weeks, then the third phase of agitation will start, where every legislator who fails to take up his responsibility as an elected representative will be boycotted,” Marak said.
For the past two weeks, the faction has been on the path of agitation in the form of a one-hour shutter-down strike and night road blockade.
The group also thanked the people of Garo hills for showing tremendous support, cooperation and unity in the last two weeks of agitation.
“We are grateful to every citizen of Garo hills for standing by us and rendering their support and encouraging us, both in spirit and deed. We are hopeful of bringing great changes in the long-neglected Garo-dominated areas. Let us all continue to be united for justice, peace, progress and democratic rights,” Marak said.
The two major issues which the group has been demanding that the 24 legislators address includes power and water woes.
