SHILLONG: Sending a strong signal to the Garo rebel group GNLA, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has said that Government would re-look into the proposed peace talks with the outfit as it has failed to halt its criminal activities.
“The Government would have to re-look this issue because of the fact that GNLA has continued to indulge in criminal activities killing innocent people including woman. We will take an appropriate decision as to whether this type of terrorist organization deserves to be engaged in a dialogue,” Sangma said while replying to the general discussion on the budget in the Assembly on Wednesday.
He said the Government had earlier decided to hold dialogue with GNLA respecting the views and sentiments of the people of Garo Hills.
“The state government had approached the Union Home Ministry on the issue of holding dialogue with the terrorist groups based on the request of several apolitical groups and religious institutions from Garo Hills,” he said adding “despite the positive response ) from the government GNLA continued to indulge in committing heinous criminal activities that give a perception that the state government is incapable of neutralising their activities,” he said.
“Since GNLA has been declared as a terrorist outfit by the Centre, the appointment of interlocutor will have to be jointly decided by the Centre and state government,” he said.
Sangma admitted that the activities of militant outfit particularly in Garo Hills region which extends upto West Khasi Hills had been disturbing and had definitely impacted the growth and development of the State.
Meanwhile, he said that the Government was also making efforts to create an environment where police would have the trust of the people in tackling the militancy problem.
“We would like to see a situation where the general public develops a trust on the police as protectors also as people who are available to ensure their safety and security. Therefore, we have decided to launch few initiatives from the side of the police which will promote and develop a rapport between police and the people,” Sangma said adding “this would help us to improve our intelligence collection and thus strengthen our overall response capacity in more effective manner.”