SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday made it clear that his Government was willing to hold peace talks with any militant outfit which was ready to come over ground but there would be no discussion on the ideologies of those groups.
“We are very clear that the reason for calling the various militant groups to the peace negotiations is to allow the misguided youths to come over ground,” Sangma said.
He also said that it is also an opportunity for the youths who had joined the militant groups for various reasons to make a new beginning.
When asked about the offer of the HNLC to have a bilateral ceasefire agreement, he said that since it is a banned outfit, the State Government and the Centre are still discussing its pros and cons.
“I am hopeful that some positive developments will take place on this front shortly,” the Chief Minister added.
Meanwhile, Sangma said that many positive signs are visible in Garo Hills following the disbanding of the ANVC and ANVC-B.
“The disbanding of the two groups has encouraged many of the misguided youths to take a similar path,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said that the persistent efforts of the security forces have also forced cadres of many of the splinter groups to surrender.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to restore normalcy in Garo Hills (in near future),” he added.
