NCP seeks caution in rebel hunt

Manipur-like’ situation to be avoided Shillong, Aug. 9 : The NCP today asked the Meghalaya government to ensure that a Manipur-like situation does not develop in Garo hills on account of the ongoing combing operations against the Garo National Liberation Army. Operations by commandos of the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and BSF personnel to flush out GNLA militants in Garo hills are on. They are assisting Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos to take on the GNLA, led by former deputy superintendent of police, Champion R. Sangma. Opposition leader and NCP legislator Conrad K. Sangma, while talking to reporters, said the prevailing law and order situation in Garo hills was tense. “The government is trying several methods, including operations by CoBRA, to take on the militants, but no tangible result has been seen,” Conrad said. While welcoming the police operations, Conrad, however, cautioned the government to ask security forces to refrain from harassing innocent citizens. “The operations are needed but they should be meticulously carried out to ensure that innocent people remain unaffected,” Conrad said while referring to the death of a civilian, Washington R. Marak, in the East Garo Hills earlier this year. While the police had claimed that Washington was a GNLA cadre, social organisations had alleged that the death of the villager was a result of a “fake encounter”. Moreover, Conrad said the government should ensure that the operations should not give rise to a Manipur-like situation. “We are worried that Garo hills could become another Manipur where innocent people were traumatised by the operations against militants. Many have even opted to join militant groups as a result of the harassment meted out to them,” he said. He also slammed chief minister Mukul Sangma and home minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh and alleged that these political leaders did not do much at the ground level. “We have seen less interference from the ruling side. Both the chief minister and home minister give minimum time to figure out what was happening at the ground level. We need political initiatives and continuous follow-up on the issue besides regular visits,” Conrad said. The Opposition leader also suggested the creation of more jobs in the rural areas of Garo hills to dissuade youths from joining any militant outfit. “People need jobs in the rural areas to create a livelihood for themselves. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the government to generate employment to ensure that youths do not leave the mainstream,” Conrad said. On the state government welcoming the offer made by the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) to assist in the flushing out of GNLA militants, Conrad said, “The government is talking to the ANVC, as the outfit is on a ceasefire agreement. The militant group, is, however, not part of the government. The government should also not refrain from mixing up the ANVC issue with that of the GNLA, as it could lead to a bigger crisis in the state, in general, and Garo hills, in particular.” Marcuise N. Marak, NCP legislator representing Rongrengiri in East Garo Hills, the main district where the GNLA is believed to be proactive, said the ongoing combing operations have led to a reduction in the activities of the GNLA. However, he said extortion is still on in the coal-rich Nangalbibra area.