TURA, FEB 11: The banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on Thursday expressed its willingness to come forward for talks. The outfit has asked the government to appoint an interlocutor for holding negotiations.
“If the state government is really sincere for talks let them (government) appoint an interlocutor and hold talks with Champion R Sangma”, said a release issued by GNLA publicity secretary Gantong Ch. Marak.
Chairman of the outfit Champion is a former deputy SP turned rebel, who is presently lodged in Shillong jail. “He (Champion) is available for 24 hours”, Marak added.
The release said that as per the constitution of the outfit, the chairman is the right person on behalf of the outfit to hold talks. “GNLA shall abide by the decision arrived at meeting between Champion R Sangma and government appointed interlocutor”, the release added.
The outfit also stated clearly that to create a conducive atmosphere, the outfit is willing to declare a unilateral ceasefire.
The government had sent feelers to initiate talks with the outfit recently. In the Republic Day speech chief minister Mukul Sangma had also stated that the door for talks with outfit was open provided they abstain from unleashing terror and iviolent activities.
Several church bodies, civil society organisations and citizens’ bodies have also been mounting pressure to rebel outfits of Garo hills to come forward and hold peace parley with the government.
In December last year, a rally was held at Tura in West Garo hills, which has set an ultimatum for six months to urge militants of Garo hills and government to find out a suitable solution for peace to prevail in Garo hills.
In the past three years, there has been rise in insurgency in Garo hills. Police pegs the figure of killing to over 150 people in the past three years, which includes civilians and policemen.-From Our Correspondent
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