ARF cautions people pressing for AFSPA in Garo Hills
TURA: The A’chik Revolutionary Front (ARF) has warned of action against those who press for promulgation of AFSPA in Garo Hills and claimed that it is ready to halt violence and unlawful activities if its proposal for peace is accepted by the State Government.
“We have responded to Chief Minister’s call to join the process of dialogue and we are ready to return and sit and discuss the vexed and complicated issue jointly for peaceful and final solution. We request through this channel to oppose the proposal to bring in the AFSPA from all quarters considering the plight of innocent Garos,” the information and public relations secretary of the organisation Lieutenant Chugrim said in a statement on behalf of the UALA and the LAEF.
Asserting that it would always stand by its leader, Novembirth Marak who was recently arrested from a hospital in Guwahati, the outfit claimed that people with vested interests were behind his arrest. It expressed surprise over the announcement of the police that Novembirth and Chiindik were one after his arrest and claimed that the identity of Chiindik was still a mystery even to his near and dear ones.
“He is our leader but his rank will remain undisclosed until the final solution is declared. He is authorized by our central executive committee to take decision on the organization’s behalf at any moment as and when needed,” the ARF stated.