TURA,NOV 17: Union minister of state (home) Kiren Rijiju told a delegation from Garo hills that the centre is not in favor of enforcing the Armed Force (Special Powers) Act in Garo hills rather the government would send more paramilitary forces to help the state police, a release issued here today said.
“Centre is committed to ensure peace and tranquility in the region. We urge the general public and the local people to cooperate with government to restore peace and development in the region”, the release quoting Rijiju said.
A nine members delegation comprising various citizens organisation, students bodies and church representative held a meeting with Rijiju in New Delhi yesterday. They apprised Rijiju on the prevailing law and order situation in Garo hills and the Meghalaya high court directive to the union to enforce AFSPA in Garo hills.
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The delegation comprised of youth activist Roger Benny A. Sangma, chairman Garo Hills State Movement Committee Nikman Ch. Marak, Garo Students Union activist Rupa Marak, Zikko Balgra Marak, Rockey Fieller Sangma, Delhi A’chik Youth Association president Nanang Ch. Sangma, CNN IBN journalist Micheal Sangma, member of Alliance of Christian Churches Taison D. Shira and activist Jaynie Sangma.
“Our meeting with Rijiju was very positive and fruitful”, said Roger Benny informed over phone from New Delhi. He also informed that the delegation appraised the union minister regarding the socio-economic and unemployment problem of Garo hills and requested him to recruit more unemployed youths in central forces like CRPF and BSF.
“The union minister was very positive and has assured to do his level best to recruit more youths in central forces from Meghalaya”, Roger Benny added.
The delegation also met Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri, who was in New Delhi yesterday to meet union home minister Rajnath Singh. “We held discussion with her (Warjri) on effective policing to tackle militancy in Garo hills”, he said.
The delegation has also sought police modernization and upgradation of its manpower in Garo hills and setting up of adequate infrastructure in sensitive areas of Garo hills.
Memo to Modi:
The delegation urged Modi to intervene in resolving the militancy in Garo hills region. On AFSPA, the memorandum said, “The state government has enough power to protect the state from internal disturbances and with adequate support from central forces the scenario can be improved without the draconian act”.
They informed Modi that the enforcement of AFSPA in Garo hills is unwanted and is opposed by the people at large.-From Our Correspondent
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