By IANS,
Shillong : Meghalaya Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh Monday said there is no proposal for creation of a Garoland Territorial Council (GTC) as demanded by the banned A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC).
The militant group fighting for creation of Garoland Autonomous Council had entered into a tripartite ceasefire with the central and the state governments July 23, 2004.
The rebel group operates in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region.
The outfit has scaled down its demand for creation of separate Garoland state to an autonomous council in line with the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam.
“There is no proposal for creation of Garoland Territorial council,” Lyngdoh told legislators in the assembly in reply to a query raised by Leader of Opposition Conrad K. Sangma.
When IANS contacted ANVC spokesman Arist Sangma, he said: “Since the minister is new in office, may be he is not aware of our demands.”
Sangma said the proposed autonomous council will get direct funding from the central government and have executive, administrative and financial powers with respect to subjects transferred to it.
Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief P.C. Haldar, who is chief negotiator with the ANVC, met Chief Minister Mukul Sangma recently and discussed the group’s demand.
“We have not reached any concrete decisions on the demand of the ANVC, but talks are on for a solution,” Haldar said.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had expressed hope that a solution would soon be found for a settlement with the ANVC, a powerful rebel group in the state, to ensure lasting peace in the Garo Hills.
“We are examining the demands of the ANVC, and we are hoping for an early settlement on their demands,” Sangma said.
Another outlawed outfit, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), has been demanding a sovereign Khasi homeland in Meghalaya.
According to the Meghalaya police officials, the HNLC is closely linked to the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and the National Liberation Front of Tripura.