Settlement in public domain

SHILLONG, OCT 16: Opposition National People’s Party (NPP) has demanded that the Meghalaya government must put in public domain the recent agreed text settlement signed with the a Garo rebel outfit even as it reiterated its demand for an NIA probe into the politico-militant nexus in the state.

The agreed text of settlement was signed between the centre, state government and the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and its splinter group – the ANVC.B at New Delhi on September 24 last.

According to the NPP, unfortunately, the details of the agreed settlement are not known since this document has not been made public.

“In the interest of the public who are the biggest stakeholders, we demand that the Agreed Text of Settlement should be made public as the people of Garo hills have the right to know the details of the so called Settlement,” NPP spokesperson James K Sangma said.

Slamming the MUA led Congress government, Sangma said, “The government has failed to take the stakeholders, particularly the people’s representatives, into confidence during the process of signing the agreed text settlement.”

The NPP further expressed its concerns about the fact that despite the signing of this agreement, militancy in Garo hills is still on the rise without any signs of waning.

“Killings and abductions are still the order of the day,” Sangma added.

The situation is very disconcerting since the chief minister who has admitted the existence of a nexus between politicians and militants but no concrete steps to institute an enquiry has been taken, Sangma said.

Sangma said the failure to institute an inquiry into the politicians- militants nexus clearly shows the insincerity and double standards of chief minister Mukul Sangma who seems to be going slow for reasons best known to him.

Sangma  said the chief minister should immediately ask for NIA enquiry into this matter if he is really concerned and serious about militant-politician nexus.  He felt no solution to the problem of insurgency can be reached unless this link is exposed and corrected since these very politicians will shield and find loopholes to protect the militants.- By Our Reporter