HNLC backs Mukul; GNLA, ANVC-B want him out
SHILLONG: Gone are the days when the militants in the State used to distance themselves from the political developments plaguing the State.
However, in recent times the active militant groups, both from Khasi Hills and Garo Hills region, have indirectly expressed varied opinions having political overtones.
The recent ‘curious’ statement of the HNLC that it expresses faith in the leadership of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is one such case in point.
On the contrary, HNLC counterparts in Garo Hills – the ANVC-B and the GNLA – want the Chief Minister to resign to effect normalcy in Garo Hills.
In their varied statements, both the GNLA and the ANVC-B said that Mukul Sangma should step down to pave way for lasting pace in Garo Hills.
According to political observers, the timing of the statement of HNLC, ANVC-B and GNLA assumes significance in the context of the ongoing tussle for a change of leadership in the State.
The HNLC continues to accuse former Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, who is spearheading the dissident movement, for scuttling the peace process with the outfit in 2004 while praising Mukul Sangma’s speech on August 15 inviting the militants to take advantage of the rehabilitation package offered by the Government.
Interestingly, Mukul Sangma was part of the Lapang Government when the peace initiative was taken entrusting Pastor P.B.M. Basaiawmoit to start dialogue with the HNLC.
The Independence Day invitation of the Chief Minister to have dialogue with the militants is similar to the plea by Meghalaya Governor K.K. Paul during the Republic Day celebrations in Shillong.
Based on the Governor’s statement, the GNLA was ready for talks, but the Centre was not keen to have dialogue.
The names of the negotiators were also sent to New Delhi by the State Government, but in vain, as the Centre was unwilling to hold any more talks with the militants.
There was criticism from several quarters that the move of the State Government in January this year to hold talks with GNLA and other splinter groups was election-oriented with an eye on the Lok Sabha polls in Garo Hills.
Now the HNLC has reacted positively to the statement of the Chief Minister and offered to hold peace talks, and the Government is now planning to appoint an interlocutor for the same, but the State Government is yet to get the nod of the Centre in this regard.
The State Police and the Centre had in the past made it clear that since the HNLC was a dwindling force, there was no need for holding talks with the outfit.
When contacted, a senior police official said, “It is the policy decision of the Government, we have nothing to comment”.