AMEF willing to sit for dialogue

TURA: The Garo rebel outfit A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), a breakaway faction of ASAK, has expressed its willingness to return to the mainstream and hold talks with the state government to help usher in peace into the troubled Garo Hills region.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the publicity secretary of the outfit Kuatsrang Matgrik praised the leaders of the Church, NGOs and other social organizations who are working for peace in Garo Hills and said that it too would be willing to initiate talks for peace if the same is accepted by the government.
“In order for Garo Hills to prosper, there has to be peace. We are ready to come for talks if we are given a chance and we also urge other militant organizations to do the same to give peace a chance,” the publicity secretary said.
Expressing gratitude to the church leaders and NGOs for taking up the cause for peace in the region, the AMEF spokesperson said they are doing a ‘commendable’ job and service to the people of Garo Hills. “We hope the church leaders and NGOs will guide and support us in our endeavor for lasting peace in Garo Hills,” said Kuatsrang Matgrik.
The AMEF outfit came into being after breaking away from the A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) which itself had split from the mother rebel organization GNLA. While ASAK was formed by former GNLA finance secretary Reding T Sangma, AMEF was created by another rebel defector known as Jack Marak. The AMEF chief Jack Marak was gunned down by North Garo Hills police in the first week of May, this year.
Following the death of the AMEF chief, the rebel group had witnessed a substantial decline of its strength with several arrests of its cadres. However, it continued to be involved in kidnappings and extortion in parts of Garo Hills including the Northern region.