The GSU asked the central Govt to constitute an interim body of A’chik Territorial Council

Tura, July 21: The Garo Students Union (GSU) today said that they have
urged New Delhi to speed up peace process with A’chik National
Volunteer’s Council (ANVC) and its breakaway faction ANVC – B.
“We have urged centre to constitute an interim body in the Garo Hills
Autonomous District Council under the newly proposed nomenclature of
A’chik Territorial Council, which is in line with Bodoland Territorial
Council”, said John Miltu Sangma, GSU general secretary.
On July 19, the GSU leaders under the leadership of its president
Tengsak G Momin met Minister of State Home, Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi
apprising him of the chaos in law and order situation, insurgency and
influx.
“Rijiju has assured that a draft on the peace pact is being prepared
and the matter will be given importance for peace to reign in Garo
hills. After the parliament session, centre would invite both the
outfits (ANVC and ANVC-B) for the final preparation of the draft
agreement for settlement”, said Sangma.
The GSU has also appealed centre to hold talks with other groups,
including Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
“The Central government is quite miffed about the GNLA regarding its
hostile activities in the region and is in a dilemma whether to offer
peace talks to the group”, he said.
A release issued by GSU has appealed all outfits operating in Garo
hills to immediately shun violence and eschew peace. “We request the
A’chik Revolutionary Force (ARF) and the GNLA to immediately stop
their activities, which are putting them in a bad light and create an
atmosphere where it will be conducive for peace talks”.
ARF is a conglomeration of outfits like United A’chik Liberation Army
(UALA), A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) and A’chik National
Liberation Army (ANLA).
“Rijiju has communicated that it will be hard to consider peace
negotiation, if the armed groups continue to show aggressive attitude
toward the people. He (Rijiju) assured that if GNLA and ARF create an
environment for peace, centre will extend its olive branch”, said
Tengsak G. Momin, GSU president.
ANVC signed a ceasefire truce with New Delhi and Meghalaya in 2004. In
2008, the outfit scaled down its demand to a territorial council from
creation of separate statehood. On January 5, 2013, an “agreed text
for settlement” was signed.

The fresh date for re-election to Garo hills autonomous district
council is yet to be announced as government is contemplating resolve
a peace settlement with the outfits. The term for the council expired
on February 16.

On police high-handedness and atrocities, the GSU in its memorandum to
Rijiju sought for centre government intervention to punish the erring
officers. “We highlighted the recent custodial death of two
under-trial prisoners in Tura and Chokpot and have sought for a CBI
probe”, said Momin.

Twenty year old Balsan Marak, accused of illegally confining,
kidnapping and torturing 12 women, died at a government hospital on
May 20. Whereas, Witson Sangma, an alleged overground GNLA worker died
in custody on May 28 in police lock-up.

The GSU also raised the issue of Washington Marak, who was shot dead
in a fake encounter at Rongrekgre in East Garo Hills, about a year
ago.  The National Human Rights Commission has directed government to
release the compensation, which is yet to be released.
On the issue of influx, the GSU has demanded introduction of “inner
line permit” to tackle the problems. Terming that the problem of
influx is destabilizing the region, the GSU stated in its memorandum
the growing number of illegal immigrants in the plain belt areas of
Garo hills, comprising Phulbari, Rajabala, Mahendraganj, Singimari and
Baitbari.
“We have adequately apprised on the issue of dual voters in plain belt
areas of Garo hills, where electorates have election ID cards of Assam
and Meghalaya. Rijiju has assured investigation into the matter”,
Momin added.
It has also pointed on the presence of Islamic fundamentalist
organisation in plain belt areas of Garo hills, which has led to
growing social tension.(SP News)

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