SHILLONG: The general secretary of ANVC Wanding Marak has asked other militant groups to come forward and to work for peace in Garo Hills.
In a written reply to The Shillong Times, the ANVC leader said, ” We would like to urge our brethren still holding onto their guns to come forward to work in peace and co-operation for the uplift of Garo Hills”.
According to Marak, speaking from experience, one realizes that the way of the gun is long gone. “Today we are more equipped to fight for our aspirations without the need for any bloodshed. To all the people of Garo Hills and Meghalaya, the achievements of ANVC are not for ANVC but for the people of the state. Everything that we have worked for that are seeing the light of day is not for ANVC alone. The packages that the centre is willing to give are for the people of Garo Hills and the state and we take it upon ourselves to make sure that they are implemented in all fairness and equality. Let us build a brighter future together”, the ANVC leader said.
To a question whether it is too late to sign the peace package, Marak said, ” They say it is better late than never, so we would not say that it is too late, but we would say that had it been earlier, say around 2008, it might have prevented the situation from worsening in Garo Hills.
On the role the ANVC will play to bring peace in Garo Hills, Marak said that the ANVC cannot comment on whether they will be the negotiators to bring in GNLA and other splinter groups, “but we will certainly play our part in restoring peace to Garo Hills”.
The ANVC has also decided to wait for the fulfillment of increase of seats from the present 30 to 40.
“Since amendment to the Constitution of India is required to increase the seats, we know it will take time. We also need time to streamline the package given by the Centre and in the meantime we are optimistic that the amendment will take place in due course of time”, Marak said.
He also said that that the ANVC cadres would be rehabilitated and they would be engaged in different sources of livelihood according to their capabilities. They will become productive members of society and remain law abiding citizens, he added.
