Our Bureau
SHILLONG/ TURA: The State Government has appointed two church leaders to initiate peace talks with the splinter militant groups in Garo Hills, while the Centre and State government will jointly decide on the name of interlocutor for talks with GNLA.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Wednesday that Rev. Janan K Sangma, general secretary of ABDK and Rev. F D Sangma, Pastor of Baptist Church have been appointed as negotiators. He said that since the GNLA had also expressed its willingness for talks, the Centre and the State in joint consultation will appoint an interlocutor.
Besides GNLA, three splinter groups are willing to hold talks with Government.
The Liberation of A’chik Elite Freedom (LAEF) has announced its willingness to come in for peace talks along with the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) under the banner of the A’chik Revolutionary Front (ARF), a conglomeration of underground outfits.
In a statement issued here UALA chairman, Chiindik Marak hoped that their desire to hold peace talks would be endorsed by both the state and the Centre considering their decade old struggle for peace and development of Garo Hills.
“A’chik soldiers are ready for talks as and when required,” he said adding that the response of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues were being awaited.
The LAEF, thought to have been neutralized, is a militant group which recently made headlines in Garo Hills. It comprises of Biltang Sangma (chairman), Riksrang Momin (c-in-c), Dilseng Marak (cice chairman), Walma Marak (general secretary), and other top leaders, besides 24 ‘non commissioned officers’ and 67 private soldiers according to a statement issued.
“We are happy and ready to come forward and discuss the vexed issue,” chairman Biltang Sangma said.