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Journalism of Courage
In a positive development for the insurgency-hit North-East, the Meghalaya-based Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) today signed an agreement with the Centre declaring suspension of armed operations for six months. The Government hoped that the ceasefire would effectively check cross-border movement of cadre from ULFA and other N-E insurgent outfits to Bangladesh.
Under the agreement with the Centre and the state government jointly, all 250 cadre of the outfit would be confined to two Army camps with their movement regulated by the security forces. The agreement was signed by A.K. Rastogi, Secretary (Border Management) in the Home Ministry, Meghalaya Chief Secretary P.J. Bazely and ANVC general secretary W.K. Marak. Later, Marak called upon Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
Besides suspending all operations, especially in the Garo Hills — where the outfit was based — the agreement also stated that a joint monitoring group would be set up to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. The group would comprise representatives of the Home Ministry, state government, CRPF, Army and ANVC.
With this development, the traditional infiltration route used by ULFA and others to and from Bangladesh through Garo Hills was expected to be effectively checked, sources said. After the meeting, the ANVC general secretary said: ‘‘We have faith in the Indian Constitution and our efforts are aimed at creation of an Achik homeland comprising parts of some districts of Assam.’’
The group had nearly 70 weapons including AK series rifles, sten-guns and light machineguns which had been deposited with the security personnel.
