SHILLONG: The State government is working on the modalities of peace talks with the banned militant outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said on Tuesday. “There are certain procedures that need to be followed for the talks and the government is following these procedures,” he said.
GNLA has expressed its willingness to hold talks with the government on the condition that their jailed leader Champion Sangma is freed. According to a PTI report, Sangma said on Tuesday while being produced in court that GNLA was ready for peace and wanted the government to consider this as it would ensure lasting peace in the Garo hills.
The Chief Minister refused to comment anything on the demands of GNLA, but significantly said that the Government considered GNLA as an offshoot of the parent organisation. It may be mentioned that ANVC is already in peace talks, but GNLA is now considered to be an independent outfit which has now grown out of the shadow of ANVC. Observers wondered if GNLA would agree to take a cue from the terms of the peace talks with ANVC.
The Chief Minister did not think that the ensuing Lok Sabha elections would interfere with the peace settlement. Peace settlement was a continuous process, and earlier Lok Sabha polls had not disrupted peace pacts. “The commitment of the government remains same all the time whichever party comes to power,” Dr Sangma told reporters.
He said the State Government periodically exhorted the Centre to expedite the process of peace talks. “It requires immediate attention and this is the reason we decided not to hold GHADC election for the next six months,” Dr Sangma said.
