Govt has not change its stand: CM

SHILLONG, NOV 17:  Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today reiterated the stand of the state government with regards to dealing with the problem of militancy in the state.

“The government has not changed its stand. We have said that the government has come up with a programme where we provide an enabling environment for anybody to withdraw from their organizations and assimilate with the national mainstream,” Sangma told reporters after the state security commission meeting held here on Friday.

Stating that the government has learnt from its past experiences, he said in the best interest of the people and the state as a whole, the government is saying to restore peace what is required today is to enable any member of any outfit which includes the banned outfits, terrorists and other banned outfits, to withdraw from their organizations and come overground.

“They should take advantage of the programmes that the government is providing them and assimilate themselves with the national mainstream and become productive citizens of the nations,” he said.

The chief minister also claimed that some have come forward to take advantage of this particular platform wherein many members of the GNLA, which is notified as a terrorist organization, have come overground.

He however maintained for negotiation with the banned outfits, the matter has to be discussed collectively with the Government of India.

Referring to the stand of the Centre government that there will be no talk with any terrorist/banned outfits, Sangma said, “We also firmly believed that we would provide this platform which we feel it is a strategy that will help and enable misguided young friends to come and be part of the national mainstream.”

“So this is where we stand and we have made it abundantly clear on this on number of occasions, as there is no inconsistency in the approach of the government so it’s a question of the members of these outfits to take advantage and look for spaces  available to join the mainstream by following the procedures,” he added.

By Our Reporter