By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) has sent feelers for a separate ‘truce’ with the government on its demand for a Greater Garoland.
In a statement issued here recently, Nado R Marak, personal secretary to Mukost Marak, ‘commander-in-chief’ of the breakaway faction, said, “We still aspire for ‘Greater Garoland’ and we would like to come forward for a separate ‘truce’ with the government.”
According to Marak, the breakaway group was deliberately set aside and not brought to the fore. He also claimed that the split in the ANVC surfaced in July 2004 when a section of ANVC leaders including GNLA commander Sohan D Shira (who was earlier with the ANVC) had signed the tripartite ceasefire pact and came overground.
“The cadres are happy with us and feel safer in the camps,” Marak said.
“The ANVC leaders have denied our presence and are unwilling to accept responsibility for our existence. They disowned us publicly and therefore we have decided to find our own way through for our cause without having to do anything with them,” Marak added in a statement sent to the media houses.