Guwahati, March 27: With just six days left for the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) elections, the Garo National Council (GNC) has officially withdrawn its call for an election boycott, signalling a shift in its political strategy. However, the GNC remains firm on its long-standing demand for a separate Garo Autonomous Council (GAC).
The decision was taken during an executive meeting at Santipur village community hall in Boko-Chaygaon LAC, Kamrup district, on Wednesday. The meeting saw participation from key Garo organizations, including the Garo Women Council, Garo Youth Council, village headmen, and leaders from Kamrup and Goalpara districts.
For over a decade, Garo organizations have been demanding a separate Garo Autonomous Council (GAC) and had previously boycotted the last two RHAC elections to press their demand. However, at the meeting, GNC advisor Suneet P. Marak announced that the Garo people would participate in the April 2 elections while continuing their struggle for autonomy.
“Garo people will actively vote in the upcoming RHAC election. However, our demand for a Garo Autonomous Council remains unchanged,” emphasized Marak. He further pointed out that the Garo population is a major electoral force, residing in over 300 villages across Kamrup and Goalpara districts, out of the total 779 villages under RHAC.
Prominent speaker Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the Assam Christian Forum (ACF), urged the Garo people to embrace their role in the democratic process. He highlighted that the RHAC is not just for the Rabha community but works towards the development of all communities, including the Bodo, Gorkha, Hajong, Koch, and Garos living in the RHAC region.
“By casting their votes, the Garo people can ensure better representation and access to development schemes,” Brooks said. He also pointed out the political underrepresentation of both Rabha and Garo communities in Kamrup and Goalpara districts, stressing that other communities have benefitted from this gap.
While endorsing participation in elections, the GNC remains resolute in its pursuit of self-governance. “The Garo community in Assam will undoubtedly get its own council—whether under the Sixth Schedule or the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution will be decided in due time,” Brooks assured.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from the Garo leadership to continue pushing for the GAC while actively engaging in future Panchayat and Assembly elections.
With over 300 revenue and non-revenue Garo villages preparing to cast their votes on April 2, the community’s political engagement is set to influence the RHAC elections significantly, marking a major shift in their participation strategy.
