By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the law and order situation deteriorating in Garo Hills, the ANVC has urged upon the civil society to play a pro-active role in promoting peace and harmony in the whole region.
“We feel that it is for the civil society to decide whether it wants to tolerate violence. It is for the people to decide whether there is a need to put an end on the terror activities of the GNLA,” ANVC Chief Organizing Secretary Torik Marak said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The ANVC leader said that the NGOs and the members of civil society should initiate steps to end the ongoing violence in Garo Hills perpetrated by the GNLA militants.
It may be recalled atleast three persons including an old Garo villager fell to the bullets of GNLA during the bandh on August 16 called by the militant outfit to protest the killing of four of its cadres in East Garo Hills by the police on August 9. While condemning the killing of the innocent people by the GNLA on August 16, Marak said that the GNLA have no right to take away the life of the common people especially a harmless and helpless civilian of our own tribe.
“We feel that they should not have crossed the line of hurting anyone.
It is sad and unfortunate that these things are taking place”, the ANVC leader said.While claiming that the ANVC has been facing all kinds of hardship in the past seven years of suspension of operation hoping for a permanent solution to the cause of the Achik (Garo) people, he said that the fellow citizens of Garo Hills should realise that the ANVC wanted peace at all cost.
“The ANVC gave up arms for a cause and now. We are being forced to take up arms again,” ANVC chief organizing secretary said.
The ANVC also extended support to the victims of recent flood and landslide in Garo Hills.
Atleast nine people were killed in the natural calamity early this week. We are deeply touched by the condition of those people who are badly affected by flood and rain in various parts of Garo Hills.The ANVC also contributed through the West Garo Hills district administration some tarpaulins amounting to Rs. 50,000 for the people who have lost their homes, valuables.
The ANVC also urged all citizens to contribute and come forward with all possible help that can be provided to those affected.