Tura, Feb 25: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) today said that
the outfit is not afraid of any operation against them. They wanted to
come forward for peace talk after appeal made by Governor K K Paul.
Political affairs secretary of GNLA, Bikdot Nikjang Marak in a
statement said, “We did not beg for peace talk. We considered the
request made by the Governor”.
Meghalaya Governor, K K Paul in his republic day speech had urged GNLA
to come forward for peace talk.
The Governor’s statement came days after chief minister Mukul Sangma
mooted that all outfits in Garo hills should come forward under the
ambit of A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) to hold
negotiations.
On January 6, chief minister Mukul Sangma had assured that in the next
six months peace negotiation with ANVC will be finalized and the
“agreed text for settlement”, signed on January 5 last year will be
formalized.
The “agreed text for settlement” await centre’s approval. The ANVC
and its breakaway faction ANVC-B is part of the “agreed text for
settlement”.
On February 17, GNLA had expressed its willingness to come forward for
peace talk with one condition – release of its jailed chairman
Champion Sangma.
Mukul Sangma had reacted to GNLA’s statement by saying that the
government will examine the demands of the outfit.
Sangma had said “We will examine the situation and their demand”
adding “It is important for the government to understand the situation
and then take the call”.
Even after a week, the government has not reacted, which has forced
the outfit to release a fresh statement.
Reacting to joint secretary in the home ministry (in-charge of North
East affairs), Shambu Singh who had said that there was no proposal
from the government for peace dialogue with the GNLA, Bikdot Nikjang
Marak said, “We will not entertain Shambu Singh’s statement. He is not
responsible to make a comment, when we are discussing the matter with
Meghalaya government”.
On Shambu Singh’s take that the outfit has to first lay down arms,
Marak said, “We are not scared of his remark. He is neither governor
nor part and parcel of Meghalaya government. He is a bureaucrat and is
serving on the behest of the union government”.
The outfit also lambasted noted columnist Patricia Mukhim for her
statement that the outfit has expressed to come forward fearing
operation against them.
Marak said, “We outrightly reject Mukhim’s comment” adding, “GNLA only
considered governors invitation for a peaceful settlement”.
The outfit even stated that they are willing to face any kind of operation.
The outfit further castigated the newly floated A’chik Volunteers
Peace Council (AVPC). “Who is Che Guevara Marak? Do they exist?” said
Marak.
AVPC is of the view that the peace talk with the insurgent outfit
based in Garo hills is ‘unconstitutional’. The forum in their letter
to MHA had even said that military operation should be launched
against all outfits.
The political secretary of GNLA also remarked that the outfit will
survive for another three decade even without Champion Sangma or their
commander-in-chief, Sohan D Shira.
Marak hoped that Champion Sangma is fighting a legal battle and will
be soon released. Champion was arrested from Umkrem Pyrwdiwah along
the Indo-Bangladesh border in East Khasi Hills, about 80km from
Shillong, on July 30, 2012.
The GNLA’s statement issued by its commander-in-chief, Sohan D Shira
had come days after a top commander, Reding T Sangma, floated a new
militant outfit.
The new outfit has been floated by Reding and another GNLA deserter
Mingran T. Sangma. The new outfit has been named the A’chik Songna
An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK), which means “vanguards of Garoland”.(SP News)
