NEWMAI NEWS NETWORK
SHILLONG,AUGUST9
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]eghalaya Chief Minister DrMukulSangma on Saturday affirmed that there is no question of talks on bifurcation of the state.
MukulSangma invited militant outfits to shun violence and come forward to the mainstream. He however put the Garoland question as a non-starter and said that no dialogue on the subject would be entertained.
Sangma assured that the government had worked out a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. He assured that militants will avail benefits from the government if they come forward and follow the path of peace. “We have designed a comprehensive mechanism to rehabilitate militants,” he said.
Addressing the media, Sangma said, “The government is willing to provide all assistance to rehabilitate militants if they surrender and give up their armed struggle.”Categorically stating that the Garoland question was a non-negotiable, he said that the government is open to dialogue with outfits who want to talk. “We are not willing to discuss the issue of Garoland. We have already signed the agreed text for settlement with the A’chik National Volunteer’s Council (ANVC),” he said. “Outfits are working against the community to disrupt public order,” he said with regard to the complete disorder within the Garo Hills region that has been the focal point of dissension in the ranks of the Congress in Meghalaya.
He further stated that there was no requirement for an armed struggle for the fight of a separate state. He said, “The issue of Garoland is being raised by all outfits for their own interest. They are being supported by organisations working against India’s interests.”
The government is set to toughen its stand against any form of anti-national activities. Talking of the intent of the new stand, Mukul said, “Cases are being registered against outfits for disrupting peace and indulgence in criminal activities. We will file charge sheets against them. The law will take its own course.”
Talking about the progress of the peace talks with the ANVC, Dr. Sangma said, “The Centre has assured to take the matter forward after the Parliamentary session ends. We are expecting that it will be given a priority. I am confident that the issue will be resolved.”
The Centre has outlined the fact that it was unwilling to talk to the outlawed Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) and Dr. Sangma elaborated on this by saying, “The Centre has denied holding any peace talks with the GNLA. They should abstain from violence and come forward without any condition.”
The government has also extended the tenure of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by another six months to facilitate peace process with the outfit. The term of the council had expired in February this year.
