SHILLONG:NPP working president Conrad Sangma on Saturday met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, and took up the issue of the order of High Court of Meghalaya to implement AFSPA in Garo Hills.
In the meeting, Sangma briefed Rijiju about the situation in Garo Hills and informed him about resolution taken by the MDCs of the Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA) and also about the strong public movement against the implementation of AFSPA in Garo Hills.
Rijiju informed Sangma that in a meeting held in Delhi with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA, intelligence officials and other top officials of the Home Ministry, he had expressed concern over the implementation of AFPSA in Garo Hills and had urged the Government to challenge the ruling of the High Court in the Supreme Court and accordingly the Union Home Ministry has decided to do so.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Saturday, GHADC chief Denang Sangma said that the people of Garo Hills, the GHPA led GHADC and all its political allies including the NPP, the GNC and the BJP, all the NGOs of Garo Hills would like to thank Rijiju and the Home Ministry in general for understanding the sentiments of the people of Garo Hills and challenging the High Court ruling which proposed implementation of AFSPA in Garo Hills.
The GHPA also urged the people of Garo Hills to continue the movement for peace in Garo Hills, and appealed to every individual in Garo Hills to work positively by creating awareness about the issues and challenges which the people are facing because of militancy and work towards bringing back those who have gone in the wrong direction.
Our Tura correspondent adds: Meanwhile, the largest Christian congregation in the Garo Hills, the Garo Baptist Convention (ABDK) has expressed concern about the possible consequences of AFSPA an imposition.
“While appreciating the high court for taking cognizance of the deteriorating law and order situation, the ABDK would like to request the centre to consider alternative steps to tackle the problem, considering the atrocities that will befall on the innocent people,” stated ABDK social action committee chairman Rev. D M Sangma.
The GBC’s A’chik Baptist Dalgipa Krima (ABDK) has also appealed to various insurgent groups to shun all forms of violence, kidnapping, extortions, intimidation of people on the grounds that such activities are contributing towards ushering in draconian acts like the AFSPA.
“For reclamation of peace and for the greater interest of Garo Hills, it is essential for insurgent groups to give up arms and join the mainstream,” stated the GBC (ABDK).
