Shillong, June 11: Taking a strong view of the continued heinous crimes resorted to by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), chief minister Mukul Sangma hinted in the assembly today that the state government might have to take a “re-look” on initiating dialogue with the terror outfit.
Dr Mukul said the government would review the matter, given the fact that the GNLA has been continuing with its terror tactics, targeting even women.
Stating that taking into consideration public sentiments, the state government had approached the Union ministry of home affairs on the issue of holding dialogue with the outfit, the chief minister maintained that the government has been mounting pressure on the GNLA.
The Chief Minister said that Meghalaya was being used as a “corridor” by Assam-based ULFA and NDFB. Urging all legislators of the state for “constructive engagement” on the issue of militancy, he cautioned that the menace could spill over to other parts of the state and not remained confined to insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills alone.
Cautioning that the northeast had become a “source of sophisticated arms and ammunition” for criminals from all over the country, Sangma said even Maoists have been acquiring weapons from this region, which shares borders with neighbouring countries. He said the Centre needs to engage with Bangladesh, Myanmar and China on the matter.
Stating that the menace of easy access to arms in the northeast needed to be jointly addressed by all governments of the region and the Centre, Sangma said the “seven sisters must act together” and show “political will”.
The chief minister said he would write to all his counterparts in the region and that a delegation from the state would meet with Union ministers soon after the conclusion of the ongoing re-assembled budget session of the state assembly and the Central Government needed to understand the “complexity” of insurgency in the northeast.
Stating that activities of militant outfits in the Garo Hills and adjoining South and West Khasi Hills was “disturbing”, the chief minister also stressed on “trust buildup” between the police and public to tackle the menace.
“Police need to be seen as protectors,” he said, adding that there would be “new initiatives” to this end by the police department.(SP News)
