Tura, Feb 17: Accepting peace offer of the Government, the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has expressed its willingness to join peace talk but demanded the release of its chairman Champion Sangma in return.
Champion Sangma has been locked in Shillong jail for quite some time now. Recently, the rift in the outfit with a top cadre Reding T Sangma forming a new group came to light.
Following which this decision was taken. Command-in-Chief of the outfit, Sohan D Shira in a statement has sought for an unconditional release of its chairman, Champion Sangma.
Champion, was arrested from Umkrem Pyrwdiwah, along Indo-Bangladesh border in East Khasi Hills, about 80 km from state capital Shillong on July 30, 2012.
Formed in 2009 with most cadres of A’chik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC), the Garo outfit was led by Sohan D Shira and former Deputy Superintendent of Police, Champion Sangma, who deserted Meghalaya police.
The outfit in last few years had unleashed terror in the region. Shira in a statement said, “GNLA highly appreciate the offer of peace talk by the Governor of Meghalaya K K Paul. If the Governor is committed let our Chairman breaks the ice.”
He demanded that their chairman, Champion Sangma should be released, so that the matter can be taken forward.
“GNLA has its own identity, ideologies and our captain knows the direction. GNLA is firm in its stand and its own constitution and the leaders and caders derive their power fröm the constitution of GNLA. No leader or cader knowingly or unknowingly exercise their power from their pockets”, said Sohan.
He even stated that neither he (Sohan) or Champion goes beyond the law of GNLA. “We know our own powers and functions. Executive, judicial and legislative power is vested in the chairman and is exercised by him directly or indirectly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with constitution”, said Sohan.
Taking a dig at Reding Sangma for floating new outfit, Sohan argued “The claims of Reding are baseless, concocted and fabricated. Reding had actually been promoted as public grievances secretary, but he failed to exercise his own power and functions as given in the constitution. Its not about demotion as claimed by police. Reding could not have been allotted double portfolios as he was undergoing treatment for some mental complicated syndromes”.
Sohan also claimed that the new outfit was floated by Reding and another GNLA deserter Mingran T Sangma. He also stated that Mingran is a police informer and is supplying arms and ammunition to the new outfit.
The new outfit has been named as A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK), which means “vanguards of Garoland”.(SP News)
