From Our Correspondent
TURA: The proscribed GNLA has out rightly rejected the ANVC-B offer accusing the breakaway faction of ANVC of collaborating with the Meghalaya government in ‘eliminating’ their cadres to weaken the organization.
While it has distanced itself from having any involvement in the ANVC-B’s offer of talks, the Sohan D Shira-led rebel outfit has said that it was ready to talk with the Central Government.
In response to the statement issued by the publicity secretary of the ANVC (B), Doang D Shira, inviting his organization to join the ongoing peace process with the government, GNLA supremo Sohan D Shira reiterated that such a proposal from the rival outfit cannot be entertained since there is a move to try and bring the rebel group to its knees by the state government in collaboration with the breakaway faction.
“We will talk to the Centre, not with the ANVC,” announced Sohan D Shira in a communique to The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
He has accused the ANVC-B of ‘conspiring’ with the government in eliminating his cadres and claimed that arms including AK rifles supplied by Meghalaya police DSP Chako to the breakaway outfit were being used in such an operation.
He said that cadres such as Killang N Marak from Bolmoran in West Khasi Hills, Bolwin Sangma (Bolkinggri), Walbak Sangma (Songsak) including three others from Kalu region, including an over ground worker identified as Seel Marak from Chidekgri village were victims of secret killings allegedly perpetrated by the ANVC-B in connivance with the state government.
“If the ANVC (B) was aiming for peace why in the first place is it targetting the cadres of the GNLA,” questioned Sohan Shira.
Stating that he was not just leading the GNLA but the people from all four corners of Garo Hills who joined the outfit with the aim of achieving a ‘Separate Garo State’ Sohan resolved that it would not stop until it had achieved its goal. Sohan further claimed that the outfit was fighting for the cause of the people of Garo Hills in keeping with the laws of the constitution and reminded that only if the Centre Government pay heed to their demands would there be lasting peace in Garo Hills.