NGOs urge GNLA to come over-ground for talks with government

NNN
TURA, February 9

The news of the government sending feelers to the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) seeking the outfit to come forward for talks has been welcomed by all residents of the Garo Hills region.
“This is a welcome move by the state government and is something that we have been waiting to hear. The fact that the state has sent feelers through various agencies shows that it is serious. We urge the GNLA to also take the matter very seriously and come forward for talks for the sake of the people of Garo Hills. It is time for them to all come and join the mainstream”, said the assistant general secretary of the GSU, North Garo Hills, Wilness Marak.
The NGH Vigilance Forum, which has been at the forefront of many surrenders over the past two months also welcomed the move of the government and has also asked for the militant outfits to come forward.
“We have had enough bloodshed to last us an entire lifetime and it is time for all to retrospect and think where the unceasing violence has gotten us. Our region is one of the most under-developed regions in the country and people fear coming in. Unless those who can make a difference actually start making it, we will be stuck in the state of flux”, reasoned the president of the forum, Tengrak Marak.
Similar thoughts have been echoed all through the region with most hoping that the process actually gets underway quickly so that there is an end to the violence.
“The last time the GNLA had shown interest in coming forward though the government had been hesitant in coming forward to accept. This time it is the government that is showing interest and the GNLA is reticent. Hope the reticence is removed from both parties this time so that we can bring back normalcy Garo Hills”, added Wilness.
Two brothers lynched by villagers in Assam-Meghalaya border
TURA: Two people, one an allegedly notorious local criminal and his younger brother were lynchedon Tuesday by villagers after an altercation. The incident happened at about 10:30 am on Tuesday morning in the village of Rahamari under Goalpara in Assam. The village is adjacent to the Kharkutta block in North Garo Hills (NGH) district of Meghalaya.
According to sources, Bablu Momin (57) was allegedly a known local criminal and had called his brother Energy Momin to the village and together they threatened the whole village armed with a ‘dao’. This led to the entire village ganging up upon the duo and thrashing them, leading to their death.
Later seals and notes of a little known group named People’s Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLFP) were later recovered from Bablu’s house.
“He was a known criminal from these parts and was well known for his criminal activities in and around the village. His threatening of the villagers provoked violent reactions leading to the incident,” said a local source.