SHILLONG: The GNLA has ruled out surrender as proposed by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and insisted that talks should be held on the issue of Garoland.
“We want to clarify that we will not come for talks without the cause of Garoland. We will never come and surrender and Government should not expect us to come for talks unconditionally. We will stick to our demand for Garoland and the armed struggle for this cause will continue till it is achieved,” GNLA leader Savio Marak said in a statement on Thursday.
The GNLA, while referring to the recent statement of the Chief Minister said that the militants can take advantage of the package which is being offered by the Government.
“But how can an organization like us just jump in for a package when our goal is Garoland,” the GNLA asked.
The outfit reminded that in the recently concluded all party meeting, legislators from opposition parties had asked the State government to convene a special session to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. The issue was raised by legislators Clifford Marak, Saleng A Sangma and James K Sangma.
“We welcome such a move. But we are concerned over the Chief Minister’s adamant attitude at a time when the militants want to come over ground. He is finding ways to aggravate the situation in Garo Hills by bringing in more forces to hunt down militants,” the GNLA said.
The GNLA said that Mukul, who came to power on the promise of bringing peace and development, is no longer popular with his ministers. “Now everyone knows that he is not a peace lover. His colleagues were right in accusing him of ignoring invitation for peace talks by militant groups operating in Garo Hills,” the GNLA added.