UCPF urges state government to negotiate with militants

The United Christian Peace Forum (UCPF) in Garo Hills regions of Meghalaya has urged the state government to create a conducive atmosphere for talks with the militant groups operating in the regions. The UCPF also appealed to both the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) to refrain from violence, especially releasing reports which are of unhealthy emotions, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the people. In A memorandum submitted on October one to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma signed by Church leaders--Rev Greater Burn R Marak and Rev Manhseng A Momin, the UCPF asked Dr Sangma to invite the militant groups to come forward to the negotiating table to sort out the different issues. Expressing concern over operations by security forces, the UPCF also said that such operations should be carried out with due concern to the needs of the common people and the local communities and should in no way violate human rights especially the dignity of women and innocent youth. We have been watching the recent developments in different parts of Garo Hills and we feel we cannot simply sit and watch the situation anymore, the UCPF said. The UCPF also recalled how the recent bandh had affected people of Garo Hills particularly the rural poor who earn their daily bread by selling perishable products and school and college going students. During such frequent bandhs called in Garo Hills, the UCPF pointed out that many of the daily bread earners and their families were deprived of their right to livelihood. The UCPF also organised peace rallies on October 1 at Tura, Resubelpara, Williamnagar and Baghmara-- the three district headquarters-- and discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the region.