Tura, June 2: Two outfits – United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) and
A’chik Revolutionary Front (ARF), a conglomeration of several nascent
outfits today expressed their willingness to come forward for peace
talks.
The chairman of UALA, Chiindik Marak in a joint statement released
today said that they have decided to come forward for a permanent
peace settlement in Garo hills.
“The prevailing situation in Garo hills has become complicated.
Therefore, we have decided to be a part of the peace settlement for
the larger interest of the people”, said Marak.
Stating that their core demand will be for Garoland state, Marak said,
“We don’t want bloodshed anymore and want to be a part of the peace pact”
The chairman of ARF, Mangrak Marak said, “The mushrooming of several
underground outfits is visible today due to the occurrence of
ideological differences and frustration among the leaders and will
continue to divide organization at regular intervals, unless issues
are properly discussed. So we have jointly decided to come forward”.
UALA is a splinter group of the breakaway faction of the A’chik
National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) and is fighting for a separate
Garoland, seeking that a state be carved out of Meghalaya, comprising
the five districts of Garo hills.
The UALA chairman, Chiindik Marak is wanted by Meghalaya Police in the
killing of two Meghalaya jail officials at Williamnagar in East Garo
Hills.
He is also wanted by Assam Police for masterminding the killing of
seven Rabha tribesmen and injuring nine others at Gendabari village in
Assam’s Goalpara district, which took place during Diwali last year.(SP News)
