TURA: A new militant outfit, which recently was found to be active in the eastern and southern region of Garo Hills with the tacit support of another armed organization, has issued a string of diktats blaming corruption among politicians and officials for the ‘under-development’ of Garo Hills.
The A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) issued a press statement from its headquarters known as ‘Chekam’ highlighting its ‘mission’ agenda which demands MLAs, MDCs and MPs to be true to the cause of development of the region.
“One who is unable to develop his constituency or feels himself not eligible should not or cannot contest elections,” warned the outfit’s commander in chief identified only as Tengsuang Achik.
Members of the suspected group have been involved in a string of extortion cases and some attacks on civilians and recently two cadres were arrested by Garo Hills police.
The outfit has also called upon government officials to work selflessly while contractors and suppliers have been warned against inferior work and substandard supply of items.
Raising the issue of job reservation policy in the state, ANLA has demanded that jobs reserved for Garos cannot be given away to others.
“Jobs reserved for the Garos should not be allotted to others. Otherwise stern action will be taken against the responsible authorities,” warned the new outfit’s leader.
It has also called for a total ban on the sale of land of the Garos to other tribes and communities and the outfit has sought a halt to marriages with outsiders by the tribal boys and girls.
Giving the outfit’s reasons for the diktats, the leader of the group claimed, “13 years of observation and analysis since 2001 have taught us that our Motherland Garo Hills has been in bad condition due to alien species and corrupt practices of our Garo people who made themselves riches by means of corruption, black money and dirty politics.”