Peace body urges rebels to shun violence

TURA: A local peace committee has urged militant organisations to shun violence and retaliation.
Rev Frithing D Sangma, co-adviser to the Conglomeration of Peace Committee, also appealed to all churches in Garo Hills to pray for peace in the wake of the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma and three others and the gunning down of GNLA chief Sohan D Shira.
Expressing deep sadness at the loss of lives of civilians, police personnel as well as militants in the last few years, the committee said though Garo Hills had witnessed senseless violence and killings, peace and normalcy was steadily returning to the region due to the prayers of the churches and efforts of the citizens, the law and order department and the good response of the militants.
“Within these three years, as many as 250 brethren from different militant outfits laid down their arms and joined the mainstream and their loved ones. The Peace Committee requests the Government of Meghalaya, the churches and all citizens to appreciate their goodwill and help them out in every possible way to make their way into the society once again,” the committee said.
In an appeal to those who are still languishing in jungles, the committee urged them to lay down their arms.