Tura, Feb 19: Meghalaya chief minister, Mukul Sangma today said that
the government will examine the demands of the Garo National
Liberation Army (GNLA) for holding peace negotiation.
The outfit is seeking release of its chairman, Champion Sangma, lodge
in Shillong jail.
“We will examine the situation and their demand” said Sangma adding
“It is important for the government to understand the situation and
then take the call”.
However, he refused to comment when asked about his views on the GNLA’s move.
On January 6, after holding a cabinet meeting Mukul Sangma had welcome
all outfits in Garo hills to come forward for talk. He had stated
that the peace talk with the outfits will be done under the ambit of
A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC).
Sangma was positive in taking forward the dialogue with GNLA but he
was not willing to disclose anything.
Commander-in-chief of GNLA, Sohan Shira in a statement yesterday had
expressed their willingness to hold peace negotiation.
However, the outfit has not officially written to the government.
The decision of the GNLA comes in wake of rift in the outfit and
formation of a new group by one of its top cadre – Reding T Sangma.
Reding T Sangma and Mingran T Sangma has floated a new outfit —
A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK), which means “vanguards of
Garoland”.
The outfit is also part of the 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).
Police sources say that Sohan Shira and Champion Sangma are now opting
for dialogue because they fear operation against them. GNLA was formed
in November 2009 by Shira and Champion Sangma, who is a former Deputy SP in Meghalaya police.(SP News)
