Verify ceasefire abuse

SHILLONG, JAN 22:  Even as state home department sources said that the a review meeting on ceasefire between the state government and the ANVC is like to take place on Thursday, the breakaway faction ANVC(B)  demanded that the government needs to verify the alleged violation of the provisions under the ceasefire agreement by the ANVC.

“There are things that government need to verify from ANVC as series of ceasefire ground rules were violated right under the nose of the government and we do not want to hold responsible for it,” ANVC(B) publicity secretary Doang D Shira said in a statement on Wednesday.

Shira said that the government must seek answers from ANVC and also ask them if they really have deposited all the weapons, whether they are recruiting new cadres during ceasefire, indulging in illegal taxes collection, extorting from coal traders in Nongal, Chokpot and other areas.

Shira felt that the government must seek answers on the procurement of new weapons and contacts with GNLA, UALA and other terrorist organisations including ISI. He said that the ANVC (B) has inputs and evidences on such matters. He said the government must scrutinize all these issues.

Sounding a warning, Shira also said that if agreement is not taken seriously and government does not take this as a wakeup call then peace in Garo hills region will not materialize.  He said, “As with all the hidden weapons and strong contacts with foreign elements, new organisations are going to mushroom right after the final settlement.”

Shira also agreed with the recent statement made by chief minister Mukul Sangma that the peace pact agreement was signed under the ambit of the ANVC. He said, “It was signed by our chairman Rimpu Marak and general secretary of ANVC. Dilash and Jerome did not sign the peace pact.”

According to Shira, the ANVC (B) will stand by its chairman and as the chief minister has already declared that  there is no need for another Suspension of Operation as the ANVC(B) is clubbed under one Ceasefire Agreement. – By Our Reporter