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.