SHILLONG: The ANVC, currently under ceasefire, has come down heavily on Tura MP PA Sangma for his statement that “peace settlement with ANVC will not yield the desired result since other groups are still not part of the peace process.”
In a statement issued to the media on Monday, Tangcha A.Sangma, assistant publicity secretary of ANVC, said that “it is an irony that instead of welcoming the initiative, Sangma has criticized it saying only ANVC is signing the peace settlement.”
The ANVC said the outfit signed ceasefire agreement way back in 2004 and it has now already been a decade. “During this period we have suffered a lot and only we know the extent of our hardship in maintaining our cadres during this time. We were also compelled to scale down our initial demand for a Greater Garoland in the interest of bringing peace to Garo Hills and now you (PA Sangma) say that you are not happy”, the outfit said.
“When the outfit was still sticking to its demand for creation of Garoland, it was you ( PA Sangma) who said that the Garos do not support the demand of a handful of people for the creation of a Garoland. Today, you are in Delhi playing the Garoland card”, the ANVC asserted.
Regarding the groups that are not part of the peace settlement, the ANVC said that the outfit was not responsible for their actions. “We have invited them to be part of the peace settlement on more than one occasion, but they have rejected it outright citing that their demand is only for Garoland, and that they want no part of this settlement. Till today we are ready to accommodate any group who will be willing to join us on this path to peace as we have done in the case of ANVC-B”, the ANVC leader said.
According to the outfit, almost all the groups are demanding a separate Garoland, which is similar to PA Sangma’s demand.
Referring to Sangma, the ANVC said “If you can convince any other group to join us in this settlement, we welcome the initiative from your side”.
ANVC further said that instead of blaming each other, PA Sangma should try to encourage others and support the government’s decision.
“In your dirty political games, it is always people like us and the commoners who have to suffer. Until and unless political big shots stop playing dirty politics, Garo Hills will not be peaceful. Stop blame games. You, who are proud to be a veteran politician who has represented the Garo Hills in Delhi for a record ten times, should know better”, the ANVC said.
The ANVC also asked Sangma that with his experience, he should advise the younger politicians and work hand and hand with the State Government to bring peace to Garo Hills for the general interest of the Garo people “with whose blessings you are who you are today. Leave a legacy of cooperation and healthy competition, not dirty politics”.