TURA: A disbanded rebel group has blamed the State Government for the failure of the Agreed Text of Settlement signed in 2014 and said if it is not implemented by September 24, the agreement will be “burned publicly”.
Former chairman of the disbanded A’chik National Volunteers’ Council-Breakaway (ANVC-B) outfit, Bernard Rimpu N Marak, has stated that the agreement with the government has not materialised because of several factors and claimed that the Congress government in Meghalaya was attempting to ‘disgrace’ the Agreed Text because it was initiated by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
The joint secretary, Home, in charge of the North East, Satyendra Garg, met senior bureaucrats on Thursday to discuss the fulfilment of the Agreed Text of Settlement.
The agreement was signed by the Centre, the State Government, ANVC and ANVC-B in Delhi on September 24, 2014.
Terming the signing of the accord as a “total failure”, Marak said, “The government officials failed to implement it in letter and spirit and there was no political will either. The agreement with the government is a total failure.”
Accusing the government of taking advantage of the Agreed Text, the former rebel leader alleged that the State was erecting foundation stones for projects which were the outcome of the agreement.
“The medical college, the child and maternity hospital and the bridge on the Brahmaputra are a few projects that were included in the agreement. The development flowing into the State and the GHADC are an outcome of the Agreed Text but we are not made part of any event,” said Marak and added that the State Government did not hold review meetings for fear of being questioned.
“It is going to be three years now and the implementation of the Agreed Text is a failure to us and our people. If there is no development by September 24, the Agreement will be burnt publicly,” warned Marak.
The government wanted to form a state-level committee last year excluding the ANVC-B but it was rejected in Delhi, added Marak.
The State has prepared a list of 139 ANVC-B cadres for the rehabilitation package but the outfit is demanding that its proposed list of 210 cadres should be accepted.
The ANVC-B chief has accused the government of slapping several cases against his organisation to demoralise the group and create division among its ranks.
The former militant chief has been fighting on the side of the A’king Nokma of Danakgre (Tura) against the government on control over ‘tribal land’ in and around the vicinity of the town.
