TURA: With the number of surrendered cadres from different outfits of Garo Hills rising with each passing month over the last one year, there is an urgent demand for these young men to be given some form of training to help them get on with life in the mainstream.
With this in view, a delegation of the peace committee from Garo Hills comprising of church leaders and NGOs called on Meghalaya Home minister Roshan Warjri and social welfare minister Deborah Marak in Shillong on Wednesday evening.
During their meeting with the two ministers at the state secretariat, the delegation apprised them of the urgent need to provide the surrendered militants with counselling and some form of skill development along with recreational activities including sports to prepare them to begin life anew in civil society.
Home minister Warjri assured the delegation, which comprised on Fr. Januarius Sangma, Frithing D Sangma, NGO leaders Nikman Ch Marak, Rockyfeller M Sangma, Rakseng R Marak and Roger Benny A Sangma, that the matter would be expedited and sought cooperation from the general public for lasting peace in Garo Hills.
In their meeting with Minister Deborah Marak they discussed the various schemes available under social welfare which could be useful for youth programs and thereby prevent the younger generation from going astray.
The delegation later called on parliamentary secretary for Industry, Limison D Sangma, to discuss entrepreneurship and self employment programs for the youth.
