CM issues travel advisory, says agreement with militant groups being drafted

Shillong, Nov 28: Even as Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma has issued travel advisory to VIPs, especially politicians, and individuals travelling to Garo hills to coordinate with their movement with district administration, he informed that a draft agreement for reaching a settlement with the ANVC- which is under ceasefire agreement- and the breakaway faction the ANVC (B) is being drafted.

Sangma told reporters that once the draft agreement is final, the ANVC (B) can have a look at it and take advantage of its provisions. He said that the state government is looking for a long term peace instead of shortcut methods to bring normalcy in Garo hills.

Sangma said the agreement is part of “a comprehensive strategy” aimed at development interventions to enable the government to address the root cause of mushrooming of militant groups in the state.

Even as he informed about the draft agreement aimed at ending militancy in Garo hills, Sangma, however, issued an advisory to VIPs, especially politicians and other individuals travelling in militancy prone to coordinate their movement with the district administration for security covers.

The advisory comes in the backdrop of the recent attack by militants to former deputy chief minister and state Congress working president Deborah Marak and Meghalaya community & rural development minister Saleng A Sangma..

Sangma said, “It is imperative on the part of the personalities who happened to hold high post and high positions to coordinate their movement and make their tour programme available to the district administration and move with security covers.”.

Sangma informed that necessary instructions were given to assess the security need of the various VIPS including individuals receiving threats. Saying that the government do not have any specific security coverage but decision will be based on threat perception of an individual.”
The issuance of travel advisory assumes significance as the candidates for the ensuing 2013 elections are campaigning in the interior villages of the state and Sangma revealed  that the militants are trying to get themselves involved in the electioneering process which is due in less than four months.

Sangma said, “The attack on politicians only reflects that there is tendency to mess up and then get involved in the electioneering process.”He however  assured that necessary steps are being taken by the concerned authorities as the state is proceeding forward for completing the election process to hold a free and fair elections which is the constitution obligations of both the state and the Election Commission of India.

Answering to a query whether Garo hills is going the Manipur way,  Sangma said, “There is a tendency of various people with their criminal minds to engage themselves in enabling and mushrooming of militant outfit.”

Saying that this is a dangerous trend he informed that is a reason why the government has adopted a strategy which will discourage any such tendency and, at the same time, come up with proactive steps to ensure that a comprehensive action plan of addressing the very root
cause to bring about a sustainable peace.- By Our Reporter