TURA, JULY 3: The Catholic Church in Garo hills has decided to organize a “Motor Rally for Peace” in the five militancy infested districts to send a clear message to the militant outfits and the state government on the need to restore peace and tranquility in the region.
“We have decided to organize the motor rally for peace starting from August 17 in which there will be a tour to the entire region to hold public meetings and sensitization programmes and on every Sunday there be worship and prayers in all the churches in Garo hills towards achieving the objective of bringing back peace to the region,” Fr Theodore T Sangma, the chairman of the peace committee informed.
The decision was taken a general meeting convened by the Bishop of Tura Rev Andrew Marak held recently where representatives from every corner of Garo hills right from Mangsang to Rongara from Bajengdoba to Mahendraganj and from Rongsai to Ampati participated.
Spelling out the message they intended to send during the rally, Fr Sangma said, “Our brothers and sisters who has joined militancy return home; live as we live; we still love you and we want you” and “Government of Meghalaya please ensure prevalence of rule of law in Garo hills is going to be the message to the outfits in Garo hills and the government .”
Fr Sangma said, “We have studied and reflected and waited for action on behalf of the people of Garo hills who have been suffering and will not rest until peace is restored in Garo hills. Since no one is willing to bell the cat the Catholic Church is initiating the movement for peace and call upon all people of good will to collaborate in one heart and soul.”
Father Sangma informed that on August 17, a peace gathering will be held at Tura in which the Motor Rally for Peace will be flagged off and tour the entire Garo hills conducting public meetings and sensitization programmes in all important locations in the entire Garo hills.
A candle light inter-religious prayer service will be held in every parish church, in every village on the August 16 from 6.30 to 7.30 pm in honour of the innocent people murdered by militant and others and a peace caravan vehicle with Peace Torch will move ahead of the motor rally decorated with visible symbols of peace.
The district teams will hold prefixed day’s peace gatherings in the district headquarters and take signature campaign.
Father Sangma also informed that the church plan to collect one lakh signatures for peace and send to the Governor and President of India seeking protection of life and property which are the fundamental rights entitled to the citizens of the country. He also informed there will be committees at the parish level to function as vigilant teams to report the kidnapping extortion and murder which go unreported due to non filing of FIR.
Pamphlets containing peace pledge and prayer for peace causes and effects of militancy will be distributed to at least one lakh household in Garo hills and the core team also hoped to seek the services of the All India Radio and DD Tura for educating the people.
Speaking during the meeting, West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that he was hopeful that situations can easily be controlled and changed if the churches play proactive role in the present situation. He also thanked the Bishop for convening the meeting and assured all possible help in any programme the church wants to implement.
In his key note address Fr Hector D Souza who as a social scientist and anthropologist said that militancy gives identity to the youth. He said the situation is not bad but it is beginning to be bad and therefore it is an opportune moment to act as one church for the well being of the people of Garo Hills. –From Our Correspondent
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