Mukul Govt to talk with Garo militants
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Shillong, March 04 2014 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said that the government is working out on the modalities and procedures which are required to be followed with regards to engaging with militant outfits based in Garo Hills region for talks.

"Certain engagement with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is on and we are working out on the modalities and procedures which is required to be followed because at the end of the day it is the sincere intention of the government that lasting peace can be achieved," Sangma told reporters here.

His statement assumes significance following the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) that has recently stated that the outfit is ready for talks with the government.

Pointing out that there are certain procedural and methodology which the government adopts, Sangma said that the overall engagement with the militant outfit, the erstwhile parent organization ANVC are followed according to certain procedural and methodology.

"We are following the same thing because if we link it with earlier suspension of operation as per tri-partite ceasefire agreement, we have introduced GNLA as an offshoot of desertion from parent organization," he said.

The GNLA had also stated that it is willing to talk provided that government is ready to released its chairman Champion R Sangma.

Reacting to a query on this, the chief minister said that the government need not react to any points or issues that are being raised by the outfit.

"There are certain procedures adopted by the government and that mechanism will address to the issue in a manner which is considered as appropriate," he said adding that there is a mechanism of how we engage with them.

With the Lok Sabha elections just close to the heel and the ongoing peace settlement agreement with the Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) which is awaiting for the Centre's nod is said to be further delayed.

On this, Sangma said, "This agreement which was signed in 2004, we have had number of elections held during these period and therefore it cannot be linked to the election process" .

According to him, it is a continuous process, government and its institutions are non-lapsable and their responsibilities and commitments towards any issues will remain irrespective of which political party come to power.

On any kind of agreement arrived with any insurgent outfits the engagement is carried on irrespective of which state government comes and change but the process of dialogue and engagement based on the spirit of agreement will continue, he added.

Admitting that there has been undue delay at achieving the final settlement, Sangma said that now one thing the government has done is to at least flag it before the government of India that it requires an urgent attention and have immediate resolution.

That is the reason why we have decided that elections as far as GHADC is concerned has to be extended for another six months, because the whole text settlement agreement is linked to the proposed strengthen the district council as a preliminary proposal coming from the outfit and various other provisions.

"We have requested GOI to complete the process within six months, for ultimate peaceful settlement, we are still engaging with GOI to infuse in them the sense of urgency and make things happen and our sincerity and commitment are demonstrated through these measures," he added.

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