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TURA: A delegation of student organizations and church elders who submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office (PMO) and met union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, on Monday, has urged upon the central government to initiate peace talks with the rebel outfits mediated either by a church elder, a neutral individual or the civil society.
Garo leaders Nikman Ch Marak, chairman of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee, GSU CEC president Zikku Balgra N Marak and general secretary Rockyfiller M Sangma, Taison D Shira representing the Alliance of Christian Churches, youth leader Roger Benny A Sangma, social activist Jaynie Ningring N Sangma, of CNN-IBN Michael Sangma, Rupa M Marak of GSU-Dadenggre and DAYA president Nanang Ch Sangma were part of the joint delegation that called on Rijiju and submitted a memorandum each to the PMO and the home ministry.
In their memo to the Prime Minister the delegation highlighted the overwhelming opposition by the people of Garo Hills to any implementation of AFSPA.
In another memo to Rijiju, the delegation pointed out that a major cause for insurgency in the Garo Hills was the socio-economic backwardness of the region, lack of quality education and unemployment.
“The Garo people are under-represented in all spheres of life be it the defense services, the bureaucracy, academics and arts. There is lack of necessary infrastructure for any kind of political, economic or cultural activity to progress,” stated the delegation in their memo to Rijiju.
The delegation has also sought more recruitment of the Garo youth into central forces like the CRPF and BSF to prevent the youth from joining rebel forces.
A key central scheme currently implemented in the Maoist hit region of Andhra Pradesh was also suggested for implementation in the militancy affected Garo Hills.
The scheme gives tribal students free education in residential schools, coaching for civil service exams, skill development training for unemployed youth and release of Schedule Tribe scholarships before the beginning of each academic session to help students.
Later, speaking to The Shillong Times over phone from New Delhi, youth activist Roger Benny A Sangma expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the discussion with Rijiju.
“The meeting was very positive and fruitful. Minister Rijiju said that since he is also from this region he understands the sentiments of the people. He also said that the central government is keen and committed to all round development of this region and is not in favour of enforcing AFSPA in Garo Hills, rather more paramilitary forces will be sent to help the state police,” said Sangma while quoting Rijiju.
The delegation later called on Roshan Warjri in the national capital and had a discussion on how to improve police-public relationship and sought adequate manpower and infrastructure in police stations in the sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, Protests against the AFSPA continues in Garo Hills with rallies being organized each at Garobadha, Siju and Damal A’sim recently.
In Garobadha of South West Garo Hills District a public meeting cum rally took place at Garobadha weekly rice market in which thousands of people from the region participated to protest the possible implementation of the AFSPA.
The meeting which was jointly organized by the Garobadha unit of GHSMC, FKJGP, GSU and others unanimously voiced its opposition to the enforcement of AFSPA in Garo Hills stating that the security and safety of the citizens would be at stake. The leaders of NGOs and other social organizations pointed out that AFSPA was not a solution and urged the government to find ways and means to maintain law and order without hampering the security of the general public.