TURA: The banned GNLA has released the names of 12 people to act as mediators for talks with the government and urged upon Meghalaya Governor K K Paul to approve their names.
The list includes senior church leaders from Garo Hills, a budding politician representing the youths and a Shillong-based high court lawyer.
GNLA commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira announced the names of the 12 mediators through a ‘notification’ from the outfit’s military affairs committee on Wednesday.
“In exercise of power by Article 6 and 9 of the constitution of GNLA, I, Sohan D Shira, Commander-in-Chief, humbly request Unified Peace Movement and attorney Sujit Dey to be a mediator and convey the message of GNLA to the Governor.
His excellency, Dr K K Paul is also requested to approve the names of mediators listed below,” stated the military chief of the armed outfit.
Heading the list of twelve approved mediators is the Salesian priest and headmaster of Don Bosco Secondary School, Tura, Rev. Fr Janurius S Sangma.
Among the rest are two Christian denomination leaders- Rev. Brother Insting C Marak and Rev. Brother Boomimerin C Marak, former minister Mrs. Meriam D Shira, Ms. Tonti R Marak, Ms. Merilyne D Shira, Ms. Jova C Marak, Ms. Babyana M Sangma, Ms. Jaynie N Sangma, young politician Roger Benny A Sangma, President of the A’chik Baptist Dalgipa Krima (ABDK) Rodrick D Shira and advocate Sujit Dey.
The GNLA reiterated that its jailed chairman Champion R Sangma would officially communicate to the governor about the proposed peace talks and all the members of the organization would stand by their leader.
The GNLA has already sought for the release of Champion Sangma for the peace parlays to take place.
The offer fo the GNLA comes a day after the House rejected the creation of Garoland which is a key demand of the banned militant outfit.