Minister retracts earlier statement
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In the face of severe criticism from several corners, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh on Thursday said the State Government would never take the support of the ANVC in the operation against the GNLA currently underway in Garo Hills, a remark which is in clear deviation from his earlier statement wherein he had welcomed the ANVC ‘offer of help’.
“We definitely welcome this positive attitude of the ANVC (who are currently under ceasefire agreement with the Union Government) for coming forward to offer its support to the Government in the fight against militancy in the State. But taking their support would mean allowing the ANVC to again carry arms which is not acceptable,” Lyngdoh clarified, while speaking to reporters on Thursday.
He added that the police department had enough competence to fight against any militant group on their own.
When asked how the GNLA managed to carry out its activities despite the massive operation by the police, the Home Minister said, “We cannot provide security to each and every individual. But we cannot deny that the situation in Garo Hills has drastically improved after the police intensified their operations against the GNLA,” he said.
Commenting on the GNLA attack at the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) at Chokpot, South Garo Hills, Lyngdoh stated that he had directed the South Garo Hills SP to camp at Chokpot for some days to assist the police in maintaining peace and help in the operation against the GNLA.
