SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister Salseng C Marak has called upon all the MLAs from both the ruling and opposition to collectively take a stand in finding a solution to resolve the militancy problem in Garo Hills.
“We need to put our heads together so as to bring back peace and normalcy in Garo Hills,” Marak, senior Congress legislator from Resulbelpara, said while participating in the discussion on the Governor’s address on the second day of the Budget session of the Assembly on Monday.
He said that the present situation which was prevailing in Garo Hills as a result of militancy problem was a matter of grave concern. “As a senior citizen of the State, I am very concerned about present the law and order problem,” the senior Congress legislator said.
While terming GNLA as the main militant outfit which was currently operating in Garo Hills, Marak said that he was happy to know that GNLA had expressing its willingness to have a dialogue to initiate the peace process, adding that this would be a big step towards bringing back normalcy in Garo Hills.
“I would earnestly appeal to the State Government to find out ways and means to bring the GNLA to the negotiation table. The State Government would have to work out on the modalities for this peace initiative to take off,” he said.
The senior Congress legislator said that he was also worried over the mushrooming of splinter groups.
“The splinter groups which are operating in Garo Hills are engaging in various unlawful activities like extortion and kidnapping. This has created a sense of insecurity and fear in the minds of the public,” Marak said.
He observed that it was a big challenge for the Government to handle the splinter groups.