SHILLONG, JUNE 4: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma informed that the state government has decided to give a one-time “peace-talks” offer to all militant outfits operating in the five districts of Garo hills region on condition that these outfits eschew violence.
Sangma told reporters on Wednesday, “The offer for talks will be link to their (militants) commitment. As a onetime offer, government will provide them an opportunity to engage in dialogue provided that they immediately stop all criminal activities including extortion, intimidations, killings and kidnappings.”
Sangma, however, refused to divulge the time frame fixed for the offer.
Sangma said the government has also decided to allow other militant outfits that have mushroomed besides the GNLA to engage in peace talk but they must stop all criminal activities
Sangma, therefore, said he urges all militant outfits in the state to stop all acts of criminal activities if they expect the government to engage them in dialogue for bringing in a conducive environment of a sustainable peace, growth and development of the state.
Sangma also said that the government has also appointed “interlocutors” who are designated to look after the small militant outfits which have not been declared as terrorist outfits.
Sangma said, “The two interlocutors appointed by the government are Rev Janang A Sangma, the general secretary of ABDK and Rev Friting D Sangma, a pastor of the Hawakhana Baptist Church.”He said their appointment is an offshoot of few requests received from relatives and parents of the militants who have indicated that if given an opportunity their wards would like to join mainstream.
Stating that GNLA had been declared as a terrorist outfit by the central government, Sangma said, “So far as the GNLA is concerned, we had also shared our views with the MHA to jointly agree on allowing them to engage in dialogue wherein the interlocutor for the purpose will be jointly decided with the MHA.”
Sangma informed the state government had already indicated the names of proposed interlocutors for peace talk with GNLA.
Sangma, however, informed that while the government will provide the militants the opportunity for peace talks, but the government will also ensure that all the necessary efforts will continue to neutralize these militant outfits will continue.- By Our Reporter
