SHILLONG: The ANVC-B which has signed a draft peace pact with the Meghalaya Government could have cadre strength of between 140 and 145, Additional DGP in charge of CID SK Jain told reporters on Wednesday. They also had some weapons.
He said the ANVC-B had submitted a list of around 150 cadres. Of them, a couple of cadres had died. The cadres were from Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and parts of Assam. Though the Government was in search of land to set up designated camps for them, Jain made it clear that there would be no let up in operations against ANVC-B if they were found to be indulging in illegal activities.
Asked about the recent controversy over the reported move to set up a camp of ANVC-B cadres in the West Khasi Hills, he said that the Government was exploring ways and means to find a suitable land for the designated camp.
He said it was the prerogative of the Government to decide on the location of the ANVC-B camps. “We have left it to the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of police to find any suitable land for the designated camps of ANVC-B in the districts,” he told reporters.
Several quarters including NGOs and political parties have opposed the idea of setting up designated camps of the ANVC-B in West Khasi Hills. The militant group has been firm on its stand, however, that it is not going to step back from its demand of having a camp in the West Khasi Hills region.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had said that the State Government would not be dictated by anyone while deciding on the site for setting up of designated camps for the ANVC-B.