| Awami League member brings drummer troupe from Mymensingh to Garo Hills for festival | ||
| E.M. JOSE | ||
Shillong, Jan 15 : When a Garo troupe from Bangladesh took part in the 100-drum Wangala Dance Festival recently in Garo Hills, very few had any idea that the man behind the cultural exchange was a Garo based in Mymensingh. The only Garo MP in Bangladesh parliament, Mankin (he does not use the surname Sangma), is now keen to strengthen the bond between the Garos of the two countries who were separated during Independence. “The Meghalaya and Bangladesh Garos are of the same origin. I look forward to frequent cultural exchanges between them,” Mankin said over phone. The Garo population in the neighbouring country is around two lakh. Mankin, also the only elected Christian MP in Bangladesh parliament, said he would fight for the constitutional recognition of the tribal communities there. Mankin won from Mymensingh 1 constituency on an Awami League ticket with a margin of 60,000 votes during the just-concluded elections. He vowed to fight for the constitutional recognition of tribal communities in Bangladesh. According to Mankin, the Adivasis, including Garos, should be recognised constitutionally as there are no provisions for their protection in Bangladesh’s constitution. The Chakmas dominate Chittagong with a population of nearly seven lakh. Other tribes include the Khasis, Hajongs, Kochs and Santhals. Mankin said the Garos in Bangladesh are a minority and some were displaced too. Of the 3.5 lakh population in his Mymensingh constituency, 1,75,000 are registered voters. The number of Garo voters in the constituency is 11,000. According to Mankin, the tribes face a lot of economic problems, including land alienation. Many of these tribes had lost valuable land in the past. There are some Garos who have been staying here from time immemorial, but since they do not have land records, they were deprived of their original land. “Nearly 50 to 60 per cent of Garos are landless at present.” Mankin had contested three general elections to the Bangladesh Parliament and won twice, except once in 1996. The first win was in 1991 and the next in 2001. After serving as a schoolteacher, he studied law and became an advocate. In 1991, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina invited Mankin to work for the party. He contested the first democratic parliamentary election and won the Mymensingh 1 seat in 1991. Mankin, who is from Rangra Para village of Mymensingh, used to visit Shillong and Garo Hills along with his family to meet his relatives. |
