SHILLONG: The state government will tread cautiously on talks with GNLA considering the bitter experience the government had with ANVC in the past.
In reply to a call attention motion moved by Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) on several pressure groups in Garo Hills demanding dialogue with GNLA, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday said in Assembly that in the past, when the state government entered into peace settlement with ANVC, the militant outfit did not inform about a group of ANVC cadres under the leadership of Mukosh, who abstained from the settlement.
The Chief Minister said that recently, even the ANVC commander in chief was arrested for selling weapons to GNLA.
“With this experience, we are treading cautiously on peace talks with GNLA so that the flip-flop of the past is not repeated. No need to be in a hurry. We do not want to give space for GNLA to adopt the same tactic followed by ANVC”, the Chief Minister said.
Sangma also pointed out that the GNLA now wants to come forward for talks not by choice, but by compulsion as inputs suggest that they are under pressure due to the operations being carried out by the security forces.
He said that there is mounting pressure on GNLA so that they are compelled to accept the peace talks unconditionally.
He also said that the views of the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh are similar to that of the state government as eschewing violence by GNLA is a condition for holding talks with the outfit. “We would wait, study and find out through our own resources to understand the actual intent of GNLA before initiating talks so that they do not cheat the government and hide weapons even after settlement”, the Chief Minister said.
Sangma said that despite security concerns, the state government was able to complete the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road as well as a bridge over Simsang river which will connect Williamnagar to the south banks of Simsang which leads to the areas which are the strong hold of GNLA.
He said that due to the activities of GNLA and other militants, the Shillong-Tura road project had gone through the most difficult times.
Praising the role being played by the citizens of North Garo Hills, the Chief Minister said, “Our sincere appreciation goes to the people of North Garo Hills. As many as 42 to 50 young boys are guarding the construction site of a PMGSY road project so that no militant cadres come to disturb the implementation of the project
