Although the state government is keen to bring active militant groups to the negotiating table, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activities on their part.
The no-toleration approach was promised by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma here today. The statement comes in the wake of the arrest of a member of the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) over alleged extortion and the attempt to re-launch the dormant Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
Commenting on the recent arrest of an HNLC cadre, he said that when the state government was made aware of the purported extortion drive by the outfit, a prompt meeting was held and instructions were given to the police to go ahead and do what it takes to ensure that these kinds of activities do not take place.
“Based on that, the police have done their duty and we see that the number of extortion cases are coming down overall,” Sangma said, adding that the aim is for the total eradication of extortion.
The government had been involved in peace talks with the HNLC – now put on ice by the latter – and made it clear that the rebel group should halt all such illegal activity if it was serious about a lasting peace.
“Now, we also reiterate that while we are moving towards peace talks and making efforts from all angles these kinds of activities must stop,” Sangma said.
Meanwhile, on the regrouping of the GNLA, which never came forward for talks but had apparently been wiped out after arrests and killings of top leaders, the CM said, “People have been arrested and we are looking out for three more who we are very sure we will be able to catch.”
On the whole, he was pleased with the law and order situation in the state, which has been largely peaceful for years, although sporadic incidents still occur.
