Over a dozen armed groups active in region
SHILLONG: The final peace pact with the ANVC and ANVC-B to be signed on September 24 in New Delhi is unlikely to end the reign of bloodshed in Garo Hills since there are more than a dozen groups still active in the region.
Most of these splinter groups are offshoots of the parent organization ANVC, while others were created following splits in GNLA and ANVC-B.
With varied opinions originating from both the Centre and the State Government on peace talks, there is lack of clarity on initiating dialogue with GNLA, the major militant outfit in Garo Hills. Besides GNLA, the Government is yet to initiate talks with several other splinter groups.
According to sources, Garo Hills can have lasting peace only if GNLA and all other splinter groups are brought under the ambit of a peace package.
ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma also echoed similar sentiments after the meeting with the State Government on Wednesday and stated that in the current context of too many groups in Garo Hills, the outfit was unsure if the signing of the final agreement with ANVC and ANVC-B would bring lasting peace. “But we hope that peace will be restored,” he added.
The ANVC leaders wanted other groups in Garo Hills to come over ground to ensure lasting peace in the region.
The Chief Minister, however, had a different take on the issue, saying that after the signing of the pact with ANVC and ANVC-B, the Government will initiate the peace process with other groups as well.
“We have already appointed an interlocutor to initiate talks with the groups in Garo Hills, who would be tasked with establishing contacts with the splinter groups,” he said.
On the Government’s proposal to initiate talks with HNLC, the Chief Minister said that the Government is working out the modalities and the matters related to appointing an interlocutor will be shared with the Centre.
The Chief Minister added that since all the Northeastern states face the brunt of militancy with the exception of Sikkim and Mizoram, the issue should be raised concertedly with the Centre by the concerned states.