SHILLONG: It will be “ecdysis’ of ANVC when the militant outfit officially joins the mainstream on December 15 at a function to be held at Tura, West Garo Hills.
While the Government has termed the function to bid farewell to arms as “home coming ceremony”, the ANVC wants it to be known as ‘ecdysis’ which means, shedding the outer cover (old ways).
“We wanted to use the ceremony as ecdysis of ANVC since we are molding into something new, shedding our old ways”, the ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma said over phone from Tura on Monday
The official disbanding of ANVC and ANVC-B will be held on December 15 at 11 am at Tikki Bandi, Dakopgre MP stadium, Tura. This will be attended by both Central and State Government officials.
While there are a total 167 armed cadres, the number of civilian cadres will be around 285, according to ANVC which, however, will be verified by the Government.
It was on September 24 that the agreed text for settlement was signed by both state and the Central government officials in the presence of ANVC-ANVC-B leaders in Delhi paving way for the disbanding of both the groups.
As per the agreed text for settlement, ANVC should be disbanded within three months.
The agreement provides various initiatives to empower Garo Hills Autonomous District Council including the increase of seats in the Council.
Moreover, as many as 13 minor subjects will be transferred to GHADC as part of restructuring of the Council.
However, for the increase of seats from the current 30 to 40, the Parliament will have to amend the constitution.
The ANVC leader Arist Sangma said that though the agreed text for settlement is diplomatic in nature, the militant outfit would pursue with both Centre and State to ensure that there is a permanent settlement.