Centre, Meghalaya govt take stock settlement agreement

The Centre and the Meghalaya government today took stock of the situation arising out of the settlement agreement signed with the two Garo Hills region-based militant outfits Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and its break-away faction, the ANVC-B.

"We took stock of the situation arising out of the settlement agreement for peace in the Garo Hills region and to ensure that a congenial climate is created before the final settlement is signed and executed," K S Kropha, Meghalaya's Principal Secretary (Home) told PTI.

Kropha along with DGP P J P Hanaman, Director for North East in the Ministry of Home Affairs J P N Singh and other officials took part in the three-hour long meeting.
 

"We were informed that the approved text of settlement agreement is at an advance stage of getting the Centre's nod," Kropha said.

The ANVC and the ANVC-B had signed the final text of the settlement agreement on January 5 even as the ANVC signed a tripartite Suspension of Operation agreement in 2004.

In view of this, he said, the two organisations should not create any atmosphere that could hinder the settlement, but to bring in peace to the region.

Kropha also said the two organisations have mutually agreed to talk to each other to sort any problem if it crops us between them.

Responding to a question on the allegations of ANVC-B about oppressions faced by their cadres, the principal secretary said, "We have asked the ANVC-B leader to provide a list of its cadres and the arms inventory for considering their position as part of the final agreement."

ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak later told reporters that it has over 130 cadres and the list of the cadres would be submitted to the authorities soon.

He also said with regards to deposition of an arms inventory, the outfit would follow the legal procedures.