Tura, March 3: The rift within the breakaway faction of A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) has come to light with formation of yet another group – Matchadu Matchabet, which is a popular phrase used in Garo hills for branding an animal, which looks half a tiger and a human.
The ANVC-B had signed an “agreed text of settlement” on January 5 last year with Meghalaya government.
Commander-in-chief of the new outfit, Mat Memang in a telephonic conversation claimed that the new outfit was formed recently with most of the cadres of ANVC-B.
He said, “We joined the outfit for a cause. However, our chairman, Rimpu Marak signed the peace pact with the government. We oppose the agreement. We will stay on and fight to fulfill our dream for the Garo people”.
Memang lambasted the parent outfit ANVC for the peace talks saying that they have left their cadres ‘high’ and ‘dry’, whereas they were enjoying.
The outfit termed the January 11 killing of four ANVC (B) cadres at Darengagal near Tura as ‘fake’. He also asked the civil society, why they have remained silent on the incident.
Garo hills region has seen formation of three new groups recently — A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) led by former GNLA top brass Reding T Sangma, A’chik Tiger Force (ATF) and Matchadu Matchabet.
ASAK is also part of the new conglomeration of outfits — United People’s Revolutionary Alliance (UPRA), which comprises of United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) and breakaway faction of A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B).
Two weeks ago, GNLA’s Commander-in-Chief, Sohan D Shira had expressed willingness to come forward for talks with one condition – release of its chairman Champion Sangma. However, government has not responded to their demand.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma had said that the government would examine the demands of the GNLA for holding peace negotiations.
The delay from the government’s end had compelled the outfit to issue a statement last week saying that they were prepared for military action.(SP News)
