SHILLONG, SEPT 24: The agreed text for settlement of the peace process was signed on Wednesday between the union government, Meghalaya government and ANVC in the committee room of the Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi in the presence of union home minister Rajnath Singh, union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, Meghalaya home minister RoshanWarjri, , union home secretary Anil Goswami, , senior officials of the union and state governments and leaders of both ANVC and ANVC(B).
Others who were present to witness the signing ceremony included Zoramthanga, former Mizoram chief minister, GHADC Chief Executive Member , representatives of Garo Students Union, FKJGP, ADE, civil society organisations from Garo Hills and the media.
The salient features of the text of settlement are broadly classified into three main heads, viz: Political, Organisation-related and Development issues.
Important political issues included in the text are transfer of additional subjects to the district council, handing over of civic administration of towns through duly elected bodies to the council and in-principle agreement to an increase in the number of members of the council.
Organisation-related issues include the dissolution of the ANVC as an organisation within three months from the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement and withdrawal of criminal cases in respect of non-heinous crimes registered against the members of ANVC.
Cases of heinous crimes shall be reviewed on a case-to-case basis according to the existing policy on the subject.
Development related issues involve concerted efforts by both the union and state governments to be made in the social sectors such as health and education and upgradation of infrastructures.
Congratulating chief minister Mukul Sangma and also the leaders of ANVC for the cooperation extended to the negotiating team headed by PC Haldar, the union government representative, union home minister Rajnath Singh conveyed the wish and hope of the union government that Meghalaya becomes a peaceful and developed state.
Singh also congratulated the people of Meghalaya for showing maturity and wisdom, and recognizing the importance of peace for overall socio-economic development.
Over a positive note, Singh reiterated the willingness of the government to enter into dialogue with any group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place its demands within the framework of the Indian constitution and urged all groups in the country to give up violence and come forward to find peaceful solution to all their perceived problems.
The Meghalaya government also placed on record its appreciation for the sagacity shown by the leadership of ANVC and ANVC (B) in recognizing the futility of treading on the path of violence, and the virtue in finding amicable solutions within the framework of the Constitution of India and through peaceful means.
The state government said this should show the path to other misguided outfits and the government reiterates its appeal to all the militant outfits within the state to come over ground and join the mainstream.- By Our Reporter
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