Centre asks Meghalaya not to hold talks with GNLA

Meghalaya government today said the Centre has asked the state government not to hold any talks with the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) because the latter is still involved in violence and illegal activities in Garo Hills region.
"The Centre has advised the state government not to hold talk with them (GNLA) as they are still very much active in carrying out violence and illegal activities in Garo Hills," Under Secretary to the Govt of Meghalaya, in-charge Political department, B Khongwir said in a statement issued here.
"It has earlier written to the Central Government the need for holding talks with GNLA and other militant groups in order to rid the state of the scourge of insurgency and ensure that developmental projects do not get stalled," he said.

"However, since GNLA has been declared as terrorist group by the Central Government, the Government of India has advised the State Government not to hold talk with them as they are still very much active in carrying out violence and illegal activities in Garo Hills," the government said.
The statement came in the wake of the GNLA threatened to carry out serial bomb blasts in Garo Hills region to protest against the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma's initiative to hold talks with the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) once powerful in the Khasi Hills region.
Stating that the HNLC had expressed its willingness to enter into talks with the government, and to work within the framework of Constitution of India, Khongwir said the state government is now working on the modalities to be followed in this regard, and towards creating a conducive environment for talks to be held.

"The matter will be taken up with the Government of India at an appropriate time once the necessary preparatory work is completed," he said.
The state government placed on record its genuine commitment for bringing in peace and harmony amongst all sections of the people so that the fruits of development are made available to the people of the State as a whole, the government's statement said.
The GNLA was considered a militant outfit and banned by the Centre in 2012.