‘Rehab packages way to curb crime in GH’

SHILLONG: The leader of NPP’s Kharkutta unit, Rupert Momin, has stressed on the need for the State Government to release rehabilitation packages to surrendered militants so that they do not get disillusioned.
In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, Momin said there was a rise in incidents of violence involving militants in Garo Hills. “The Government tried to suppress the militant groups but the more they are suppressed, the more they have expanded their activities,” he said.
According to the NPP leader, the genesis of militancy in Garo Hills can be traced to Assam and Nagaland. “The A’chik Liberation Magrik Army (ALMA) was the first underground group that had been formed in Garo Hills but ultimately this group has surrendered, but many groups, including ANVC, LAEF, GNLA, ASAK, AMEF and others, have surfaced,” he said.
Momin pointed out that many militants had given up arms under pressure from church leaders, NGOs and police but militancy is yet to be eradicated from Garo Hills. “Boys who had surrendered have been confined to a limited area without basic needs for their lives. Many of them are wandering in the street and they feel dejected by joining the mainstream,” the NPP leader said.
He also urged both the Centre and the State Government to continue to take steps for long-lasting solution by releasing the packages for the surrendered cadres or providing them with jobs in armed forces or civil services according to their qualifications and physical fitness. Momin also urged the pressure groups and church leaders to pressurise the government to fulfil their promises in properly rehabilitating them.