Meghalaya: GHADC MDCs choose new CEM, Rakesh Sangma to resign

Shillong: Siju MDC Albinush Marak has been chosen as the new leader for the post of CEM. The decision was taken at a meeting of MDCs on Saturday as Rakesh Sangma is set to tender his resignation.

Amid mounting protests over the appointment of the contentious new chief executive member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), highly placed sources in the Meghalaya government told EastMojo on Friday that Rakesh A Sangma would tender his resignation from the post next week.

The protesters in Garo Hills have been demanding the removal of newly-elected CEM Rakesh Sangma, claiming that his identity as an indigenous Garo is doubtful.

On Thursday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was greeted with black flags and slogans of ‘go back’, while he was returning from Damalgre Rerapara block building, at Ampati in South Garo Hills.

The Garo Hills-based NGOs comprising GSU, FKJGP, ADE, FAF, AYWO and NESO had opposed the appointment of MDC Rakesh ‘Newar’ Sangma as the CEM, pointing out that Rakesh and his siblings have always identified themselves as ‘Newar’ (of Nepali origin) and not ‘Sangma’ since school days. This was later changed to Newar Sangma in college.

Also read: Meghalaya CM greeted with black flags over Garo Hills CEM appoinment