By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Jubilant over the draft peace pact arrived at on Saturday, ANVC leader Arist Sangma said that he was ready to negotiate with the GNLA if the rebel group is willing to be part of the peace pact.
“Being part of the mother organization, we want to appeal to the GNLA so that they can take part in the peace process as this is a golden opportunity and we are ready to facilitate the talks,” said Sangma, who is also the publicity secretary of ANVC.
The present self styled ‘commander-in-chief’ of the GNLA, Sohan D Shira, is a former member of the ANVC. Shira had surrendered before the Government in 2007, but joined GNLA chairman Champion Sangma to float the new group. Annoyed over the mushrooming of militant groups and the subsequent ritual talks, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambu Singh, ruled out any talks with the militant groups by saying that the Centre will announce a policy in this regard.
However, the ANVC publicity secretary said that since they are yet to sign the final agreement with the Government, there is still scope for the GNLA to join the peace pact.
“The Government will open its doors for talks and if needed, the GNLA can get the same peace settlement or if they want some more points, they can raise them before the Government,” he said. Commenting on the pace talks held on Saturday, the ANVC leader clarified that it is not that the militant outfit has given up the demand for Garoland Autonomous Council.
“We got more than what we have asked for and the nomenclature of the autonomous body does not matter,” Sangma said.
He also said out of the 23 additional subjects which they had asked under the Council, 13 additional subjects were agreed upon during Saturday’s meeting.
ANVC (B) stand
ANBC (B) leader Rimpu Marak has said that the militant outfit signed the peace pact to bring over all development to the people of Garo Hills.
“The ANVC (B) joined the settlement process at the final stage to ensure peace and bring about changes in terms of development, growth and progress to the deprived areas, especially the Garo dominated areas,” Marak said.
“The ANVC (B) focused in the grass root democracy with provisions of direct funding and the demand was accepted and included in the draft, making us part of the settlement process,” Marak said, adding that their movement has been to bring about positive change in the society.
The ANVC (B) will also meet the traditional heads and other leaders of the society very soon to brief the contents of the signed draft, he added.