TURA: Issues concerning militancy in Garo Hills and ways to speed up the release of rehabilitation package for surrendered militants were some of the core points that were discussed during an interaction between top police officials and citizens groups at Tura on Monday.
In a first of its kind interaction between police and civil society groups at the conference hall of the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Tura attended by Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG) for Garo Hills, S S Kynjing, and district police chief, Mukesh Kr Singh, stress was laid on getting citizens, religious leaders and social organizations to play a more pro-active role in taking Garo Hills forward on the path to peace and development.
“The role of civil society is very important because police is just a part of the system. The recent spate of surrenders is extremely good for Garo Hills,” said DIG Kynjing even as he lauded the efforts of civil society in this regard.
Organizations including the GSU, AYWO, ADE, pastor of Hawakhana Baptist Church Rev. Friting D Sangma, North East Students’ Union assistant general secretary Manseng A Sangma and police officials took part in the meeting organized by Meghalaya police.
“Interaction with various stakeholders is very important to create a bonding between police and civil society,” Mukesh Singh said.
The issue of rehabilitation package for militants who surrender was raised by GSU president Tengsak G Momin during the interaction who cautioned that delay in its release could be detrimental to the peace movement as frustration could make way for a return to the armed struggle by some of those who gave themselves up.
He cited the case of the ALMA outfit which led to the creation of ANVC, ANVC-B and now GNLA.
The contentious issue of ‘conditions’ in regards to talks with the GNLA was also brought up during the discussion.
“While the GNLA has a pre-condition for talks, the government says it is against any condition. And so no talks have started from either side,” pointed out the GSU leader.
The problem faced by innocent villagers caught in the conflict zone during operations by security forces against militants was also raised by Rev. Friting Sangma. “There are cases when villagers are caught at crossroads in militancy affected areas,” said the pastor.
Cases of militants forcibly seeking shelter in village homes which in turn resulted in police harassment on the innocent villagers were discussed at the meeting wherein DIG Kynjing informed the gathering that police have recently taken several steps to ensure innocent villagers are protected. “You will be glad to know that there has been a tremendous drop in casualties in the conflict zone and every attempt is being made to ensure human rights violations do not occur,” said the DIG.
He also informed that a ‘Police Station Citizens Committee’ is being set up at all the police stations in Garo Hills where there will be regular interactions between police and the public.
Several issues concerning Tura town, particularly the no-parking zone set up by police, alleged highhandedness on the part of police commandos who operate in the town and the need for counselling of armed personnel to check abuse of power were also discussed.
