Division within ANVC-B comes to fore

SHILLONG: Division within the ANVC-B came to the fore following the alleged nexus of its chairman, Rimpu N Marak with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
In a statement issued here, ANVC-B joint secretary, Rangdo R Marak said that even though the cadres are hunted by police, the chairman is maintaining silence on the matter.
“The chairman is close to the Chief Minister and his silence on these issues is a sign of submissive weakness.  Some officers had raised the question as to why safety of the cadres were not worked out in the Peace Pact which was not complete in nature as far as  safety and rehabilitation of the cadres are concerned,” Marak said.
The outfit had an emergency meeting on Friday on the unwarranted arrest of its cadres by State Police while they were visiting their families.
“ANVC-B leaders including Akimbri, Doang, Ajaju, Nado and others met to discuss and inquire why the Government is applying faulty policy on the outfit’s cadres when they are moving without any ill intention and not carrying weapons,” Marak said.
According to ANVC-B, the actions appear to be a plan by its leaders to push the cadres back to the forests.
“If Government wants to hunt us then why did the Chief Minister invite us for the Peace Pact which was signed by our chairman on January 5 this year,” the ANVC-B questioned while adding that the outfit would seek response from the Government before January 5 next year as to who authorized the hunt for the cadres and what was the reason for the unwarranted arrests.
The ANVC-B also threatened that it will decide on whether to cooperate with the agreement signed by its chairman depending on the response from the Government.