Meghalaya: Incidents and Statements involving
Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) : 2013

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on January 1 announced that a “historic settlement” is on the anvil for resolving the issues raised by the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), reports The Telegraph. “The negotiations with ANVC for arriving at a permanent settlement have reached the final stage. I have been informed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that a tripartite meeting is being convened on January 5 in Shillong,” Mukul Sangma said. CM Sangma appealed the breakaway faction of the ANVC (ANVC-B) to join in the meeting. The ANVC has been demanding the creation of the Garo Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (GATC) on the lines of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Read less...

State Government has ruled out formation of the Garoland Autonomous Council (GAC) as demanded by the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), currently under ceasefire, rather it has proposed strengthening of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) with direct funding and providing more manpower, reports The Shillong Times on January 3. Read less...

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) Joint Secretary (North-East) Shambhu Singh will arrive in Shillong on January 5 to finalise the agreement’ with Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), reports Nagaland Post. Read less...

Breakaway faction of the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) on January 3 said that it would participate in the “historic settlement” if it was beneficial to all three existing autonomous District councils of the State and the common people. Read less...

The Union and State Government on January 5 signed a draft agreement with both Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC –B) for expansion of powers of the Garo Hills Autonomous District (GHADC), reports The Shillong Times. The draft agreement was signed during the tripartite meeting between the representatives of the militant outfit and officials of the State Government and Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The final Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) will be signed after the draft agreement gets the mandatory approval of the State Cabinet and the Union Cabinet. Read less...

Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) leader, Arist Sangma said that he was ready to negotiate with the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) if the militant group is willing to be part of the peace pact. “Being part of the mother organization, we want to appeal to the GNLA so that they can take part in the peace process as this is a golden opportunity and we are ready to facilitate the talks,” said Sangma, ‘publicity secretary ‘of ANVC. Read less...

Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANBC-B) ‘Chairman’, Rimpu Marak has said that the militant outfit signed the peace pact to bring over all development to the people of Garo Hills. “The ANVC (B) joined the settlement process at the final stage to ensure peace and bring about changes in terms of development, growth and progress to the deprived areas, especially the Garo dominated areas,” Marak said. Both ANVC and ANVC-B on January 5 signed a draft agreement with Central and State Government. Read less...

Breakaway Faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak on January 7 said that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) will benefit from the ANVC draft tripartite peace pact signed on January 5, reports The Shillong Times. Marak further said that the outfit was willing to meet the leaders of other councils and social leaders of Khasi and Jaintia Hills to discuss the matters concerning the role of traditional heads and chiefs in the growth of the State. The Government’s plan to strengthen the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following talks with the ANVC had led to demands for strengthening the KHADC and the JHADC. Read less...

The State cabinet on January 8 approved the text of the draft settlement agreement to be signed with the Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) militants, reports The Shillong Times. A tripartite meeting between the Central, State Government and the ANVC resulted in signing of a draft agreement on January 5. The State Cabinet has also constituted a committee, which will comprise State Government and District Council representatives, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials, and representatives from the ANVC to go into the finer points of the proposed agreement. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has said that the State Government is losing revenue worth billion of rupees from coal trade due to the nexus between the traders and corrupt government officials, reports The Shillong Times on January 17. According to the outfit, the coal traders do not pay taxes to the District Council and export far greater volume of coal than what they show on record. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on January 20 that the State’s Chief Secretary, WMS Pariat, on January 19, asserted that law and order situation in the trouble-torn Garo Hills has improved in recent times. “There is a perceptible improvement in the law and order situation in Garo Hills in recent times,” Pariat told reporters, adding that peace seems to be prevailing in the region with no major incident being reported in the last few months. It is noteworthy that the State Government and the Central Government had recently signed the draft peace agreement with the militant group Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which was later approved by the State Cabinet. On the issue of signing the final agreement with the ANVC, the Chief Secretary said that the Central Government would come out with the final agreement. The Chief Secretary stated that the agreement is applicable to the breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B) and they need to surrender their arms and weapons since the draft agreement has already been signed. Asked about the Government’s stand on Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the Chief Secretary indicated that the Government would welcome any outfit which wants to come forward for discussion. On the reports that the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) is trying to regroup in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Pariat said, “We will ensure that no re-grouping takes place.” Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) said it would not support any political party during the elections. In a statement, the ANVC leader, Rimpu N.Marak said that 2013 election will entirely depend on people’s decision. “People should choose their representative wisely for next five years, as it is our votes that will decide leaders of tomorrow. I appeal to the public to discourage corrupt means of campaigning and vote for visionary and responsible candidates who are vocal, focused and committed to the people’s cause”, Marak added. Read less...

The National People’s Party (NPP) has alleged that the draft peace agreement signed by the Central and State Government with the militant outfit ANVC was an ‘election oriented’ stunt. “The Government was not doing anything on the agreement and it was hurriedly signed just before the election,” NPP leader Conrad Sangma said on January 24, adding, “The entire process is election oriented.” The draft agreement paves way for expansion of powers of the Garo Hills Autonomous District (GHADC) and it was hurriedly approved by the State Cabinet, Sangma said. The Union Cabinet is yet to give its nod to the agreement. Read less...

The East Garo Hills District Magistrate has cancelled the bail granted to four Breakaway Faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militants including Singbirth N Marak alias Norok alias Tengton for their alleged involvement in the gunning down two staff of Willimnagar jail in the February 2 incident, reports The Shillong Times on February 5. Police had also identified ANVC-B ‘militant commander’, Singbirth N. Marak alias Norok as the person who had led the attack adds, The Telegraph. Norok was given bail on January 11 and 22 after he was arrested in connection with the attack on Meghalaya PCC working president Deborah C. Marak last year. Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) leader, Rimpu Marak said that the cancellation of bails of ANVC-B cadres seems to be politically motivated to make the cadres into forced fugitives. As reported earlier, The East Garo Hills District magistrate had cancelled the bail granted to four ANVC-B cadres including Singbirth N Marak alias Norok/Tengton for their alleged involvement in the gunning down two staff of Willimnagar jail even though outfit has denied its hand in the February 2 incident. Read less...

In the afternoon of February 15, a group of militants fired in the air at Williamnagar market in East Garo Hills District creating panic among the traders in the area. Police suspect the role of either Breakaway faction of A'Chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) or GNLA behind the Williamnagar market firing incident. The militants escaped probably crossing the Simsang River. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that majority of the Members of the District Council (MDCs) have opposed the move to strengthen the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on the basis of the proposed peace settlement between the Government and the Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC). Moving a motion on the proposed peace agreement on the second day of the Budget Session on March 6, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MDC, Adelbert Nongrum said the Council should not accept the Government’s move. “I do not think that the KHADC should agree to this move of strengthening the Council on the basis of the terms and conditions laid down by the ANVC. The outfit had demanded for creation of a Territorial Council in line with the Bodo Territorial Council which the Government had rejected,” Nongrum said. He argued that if the strengthening of the KHADC has to take place then it should be on the basis of the needs and aspirations of the people of Khasi Hills. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Chokpot Police arrested a Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer council (ANVC-B) militant and a collaborator of the Garo national liberation Army (GNLA) in two separate incidents on March 7. Read less...

Three militants of Achik National Volunteers Council-Breakaway faction (ANVC-B) were killed on March 9, after an encounter between a team of Meghalaya Police and the rebels in Dobu Chitingbang village of East Garo Hills District, reports The Telegraph. The deceased are yet to be identified but from the documents and arms recovered from the encounter site, it was ascertained that they belonged to the ANVC (B) outfit, Police added. The items which were recovered from the encounter site included a 9mm pistol, one 7.65mm pistol, three empty cases of 7.65mm rounds, one empty case of 9mm round, seven rounds of live 9mm ammunition, two live rounds of unknown calibre pistol bullets, three live rounds of 7.65mm calibre bullets, five empty cases of 7.62mm AK rifle ammunition, two mobile handsets, five SIM cards and other incriminating documents of ANVC (B). Read less...

A day after the Police shot dead three cadres of Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) for their involvement in extortion on March 9, the militant outfit, on March 10, denied the Police claim that they were extorting money. In a statement, ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak said that foul play has begun as the election is over. Marak stated that the outfit had signed the draft agreement to bring peace to the people, but the moment elected politicians have taken over, the killings have started again. “My cadres were not extorting but were mobilizing the villagers about the draft agreement and they were shot by suspected unknown attackers even though police have claimed the attack,” the statement added. Claiming ‘foul play’ in the incident, the ANVC-B leader stated that the act will create differences among the cadres as the slain cadres were teenagers. “We have come overground for peace and not to be hunted down,” the statement added. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has demanded an inquiry into the recent killing of three of its cadres by Police for allegedly running an extortion racket, reports The Shillong Times on March 12. In a statement issued in Shillong in East Khasi hills District on March 11, ANVC-B said, “There should be an inquiry to this killing as the slain cadres were not caught in an act but were shot while they were cooking meal in a village.”The ANVC-B has already denied allegations that its cadres were involved in any extortion racket as claimed by the police. Crying foul, the militant outfit alleged that the encounter on March 9 was cold murder committed to create a rift in the leadership and hamper the process of its cadres joining the mainstream. Read less...

Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into recent alleged killing of three cadres of the breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) by the Police. The ANVC-B leaders and the villagers had cited foul play in the operations of the Police against the militants and termed the killings as ‘fake encounter’. An official said that WCR Marak, the Extra Assistant Commissioner of Rongjeng (East Garo Hills District), will probe the killing of the ANVC-B cadres. The magisterial inquiry was ordered on March 12. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Garo National Council (GNC) legislator, Clifford Marak, on March 18, questioned the State Governor’s address on law and order situation while citing a few instances which contradicted the governor’s statement that law and order situation in the State was well-under control. Stating that militant activities are happening on a daily basis in Garo Hills, Marak lambasted the Police department for its inefficiency in ensuring safety and protection to the residents of Garo Hills. Referring to the agreement signed between the Union Government, the State Government and the breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) to grant more power including financial power to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the GNC legislator said the same was never mentioned in the Governor’s address while enquiring about the progress of the agreement made. Requesting Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma to immediately address the ANVC and Garo National liberation Army (GNLA) crisis in Garo Hills, Marak said, “Much confrontation is going on with GNLA cadres. I am not supporting, but common people are suffering because of it.” Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on March 19 said the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) would be taken into confidence on any alteration being made to the original agreed Text of Settlement by the Cabinet. “The Cabinet is at liberty to fine tune the agreed Text of Settlement. But we would share it with the ANVC if there is any such fine tuning to the text to avoid any hiccups at the last moment,” Sangma said. He, however, maintained that the Government cannot make the agreed Text of Settlement public since it is still under active consideration of the Union Cabinet. He said that the basic objective of the negotiation is to empower the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Mukul also admitted that the agreed Text of Settlement would have an impact on the other two ADCs (Khasi Hills ADC and Jaintia Hills ADC) in the State. The ANVC had demanded upgrade of the existing membership of the GHADC from 30 to 40, adds The Telegraph. It had proposed that 35 members would be directly elected while five, comprising two ANVC members, two nokmas (village head) and one woman, would be nominated. Maintaining that people could soon "take up arms for water" in Tura (West Garo Hills District), some legislators from Garo Hills have threatened to sit on a hunger strike outside the chief minister's office if the problem is not addressed immediately, reports The Times of India. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Police arrested two overground workers of Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC–B) identified as Lewin Marak and Pechong Marak – while they were collecting money from the merchants on March 19. An amount of INR 2,270 and a cell phone were recovered from their possession. Read less...

The magisterial probe report into the attack on Williamnagar jail, that left two jail staff dead on February 2 by suspected ANVC-B cadres, was submitted to the Government on March 22. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on March 25 that the hurriedly done draft peace pact with the Breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) just prior to the Assembly elections, without asking the cadres to surrender their weapons in time, has resulted in extortion and formation of splinter groups. An official source said that the defect of the draft agreement lies in the fact that no deadline was given to the ANVC-B leaders to deposit their arms with the Police or keep them in joint custody as was done in the case of its parent group, ANVC. There are reports that the ANVC-B ‘commander’ Singbirth N Marak alias Norok, who was involved in the killing of the jail staff along with a few other cadres, have already formed another outfit in Garo Hills, shattering the peace pact. It was on January 8, 2013 that the officials of the State Government, Centre and the ANVC- ANVC-B groups had signed the draft peace pact in Shillong (East Khasi Hills), which had also evoked criticism from the Opposition National People's Party (NPP) as the party considered it as an election stunt. The Chief Minister Mukul Sangma recently told the Assembly that the draft agreement is still pending with the Centre for finalization. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) said that the outfit is waiting for the State Government to initiate the official procedure to work out the formalities for the ceasefire as was done in 2004 with its parent outfit, ANVC, reports The Shillong Times on March 28. In a statement issued in Shillong, ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak said that after the draft agreement, no official communication was made to the outfit by the State Government. “We have signed the draft for peace and we hope that the State Government is sincere about the settlement,” he said. However, the outfit said that killing of its cadres at Dobu in East Garo Hills, earlier this month, have put doubt and scared the cadres forcing desertion. “I hope state knows the repurcations that will be followed by allowing this and giving free hand to certain officers to take law into their hands,” outfit added. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on April 1 that the magisterial probe into the attack on Williamnagar jail, which resulted in the death of two jail staff, has failed to pinpoint which militant group was involved in the crime. Assistant Jailor Neil Warjri and Warder Sarai Sing Thabah were killed in the attack by a gang of militants on the night of February 2. The findings revealed that the primary target of the attackers was assistant jailor Warjri and not Thabah. Soon after the incident, the Police claimed that it was the handiwork of Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA). Later, Police confirmed that the attack was carried out by breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) led by its commander Senbirth Marak alias Norok.However, the probe report, a copy of which is available with The Shillong Times, does not clearly point out which group was involved in the attack as it said that Police should investigate into the matter further. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that suspected Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militants numbering around 12 shot dead one Benjamin Marak of Rongbingre in Williamnagar on April 1, while the deceased was on a picnic along with his brother and friend at Mrik Wari along the Simsang River in East Garo Hills District. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who met the Union Home Ministry officials in Delhi during his recent visit to discuss the peace pact with the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), said that the matter is at an advanced stage. The Chief Minister said this on April 8 in the Assembly in reply to Clifford Marak, president of Garo National Council, who raised the issue of the activities of ANVC in his Chokpot constituency through a call attention motion. According to the Chief Minister, the issue of arriving at a final settlement was discussed with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) during his visit to Delhi. He said that the draft peace pact will be brought to the Union Cabinet for discussion and subsequently the modalities to bring the militant groups to the mainstream will be worked out. To a question by Marak on whether the Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B) ‘commander in chief’ Mukost Marak is also under the peace pact, the Chief Minister said that he was also part of the peace process. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that two motorcycle borne suspected militants abducted the teenage son of a grocery trader from the Assam side of Mendipather town adjoining North Garo Hills District on April 8 night reportedly to demand ransom from the father. His whereabouts remain unknown but Police sources reveal that the teenage’s father had previously been targeted for extortion. Sometime during the beginning of the year, unknown persons had called up the trader demanding a hefty sum of money as ‘tax’ but he had resisted the move. Police on the Assam side as well as Meghalaya have been conducting several raids following the incident and prime suspects are militants belonging to Garo outfits operating from the Garo Hills region. The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) besides dacoit gangs and recently formed United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) are said to operate in the area, Police sources informed. Read less...

Home Minister Roshan Warjri, on April 9, said that the magisterial probe into the killing of three ANVC-B cadres on March 9 will be completed within 30 days. Read less...

The Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force [Meghalaya Frontier], Sudesh Kumar sought the cooperation of the border residents in tackling the activities of militants including Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) and also smugglers. IG-BSF, Sudesh Kumar, while addressing border residents at Gumaghat in South West Khasi Hills, said that smugglers from across the border bring in Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) which destabilize the economy and ultimately impact adversely the people. Read less...

The ANVC-B, on April 11, said that the outfit is trying to bring back Singbirth N Marak alias Norok into the outfit for enabling him to participate in the peace pact, reports The Shillong Times. Norok had gone into hiding after he was accused of being involved in the Williamnagar jail incident which led to the death of the two jail staff. ANVC-B chairman Rimpu Marak said, “Norok is still a part of the ANVC-B and we are trying to get him back as we are in the verge of a settlement and the last thing we would want is another splinter group.” Reacting to a query on the media reports that Norok has formed the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), Marak said the former has confirmed that he has not sent any press release to the media about the formation of the new group. “He said that somebody is using his name for their own vested interest,” Rimpu Marak said. Rimpu Marak also asserted that UALA is an Assam based outfit which was conceptualized after the Garo-Rabha conflict few years back. Read less...

The magisterial probe report into the incident of February 2 in which an assistant jailor and warder were killed could not establish which militant group was involved in the attack, but it only said that they were armed militants. Home (Jail) Minister Roshan Warjri said eight to ten armed miscreants were responsible for the incident on February 2. The Police first blamed Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) for the attack and subsequently put the responsibility on Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) saying the attack was led by Singbirth N Marak alias Norok but now the Government is claiming that they were ‘unidentified armed miscreants’. Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu N Marak, on April 17, said that the decision of Norrok X Momin to form the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) is his own personal prerogative. Marak said,” He should take responsibility for his cadres even as we tried to get him back for the peace settlement.” Read less...

The claims of Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) chairman, Rimpu N Marak that his former ‘action commander’ Norrok X Momin remains with his outfit has been dismissed by Norrok himself who has gone on to form the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), according to April 17 report. The newly floated UALA headed by Norrok X Momin, whose real name is Singbirth N Marak, has accused the ANVC-B leadership headed by Rimpu N Marak and ‘military chief’ Mukosh Marak of aligning with the Rabha Hasong leadership in Assam to merge the Garo inhabited areas into the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council against the wishes of the people. “The ANVC-B chairman (Rimpu) and commander-in-chief (Mukosh) have signed up to merge the Garo areas with the Rabha Hasong for which they have been assured of Rs 5 crore as reward. It is because of their attempt to sell the rights of the Garos living in Assam that we have formed the UALA to oppose them,” said Norrok in a strongly worded statement against the ANVC-B leadership. Read less...

The All India Garo Union (AIGU) has denied the allegations of ANVC-B that the union is having nexus with the newly floated militant outfit United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA).In a statement issued in Shillong on April 20, AIGU ‘president’ Elbarth Marak said, “The AIGU has no link with any outfit in any matter whatsoever.” Earlier, the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) had alleged nexus between the newly floated militant outfit United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), All India Garo Union (AIGU) and the Garo National Union (GNU) in not allowing the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) to function through proper election. Read less...

Nagaland Post reports that after facing defeat in the February 23 State Assembly polls, a Samajwadi Party candidate has allegedly joined the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a senior Meghalaya Police said on April 22. Rapiush Ch. Sangma (33), who had contested from Rongjeng constituency under East Garo Hills District, joined the GNLA soon after the counting of votes, which were held on February 28. Incidentally, Congress candidate Sengnam Marak, who is the younger brother of Dilash R Marak, the chief of the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), won the assembly election. “We have confirmed that Rapiush has been appointed as vice-chairman of the GNLA and he is hiding inside the thick jungles of Garo Hills,” JFK Marak, the District Police chief of East Garo Hills said. “He (Rapiush) is a close aide of Sohan D. Shira, (the military wing chief of GNLA) and his objective joining the GNLA is to recoup the money, which he had spent during the polls, and with the hope that he will again contest the next polls “under the barrel of the gun,” the official said. Read less...

The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs headed by the Prime Minister is examining the final peace settlement with the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and the Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B). A State Home department official said that after the clearance from the Political Affairs Committee, the matter will be brought to the Union Cabinet for consideration. “We hope to get a favorable outcome from the Centre within a month,” the official added. The draft documents related to the peace pact were earlier circulated to relevant Central ministries including the Home Affairs to get their comments. However, there was undue delay in reaching a final settlement coupled with a faction of ANVC-B led by Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin forming the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA). Asked about any hurdle due to the presence of various factions of the ANVC, the official said that the final peace settlement will be with all the factions of the ANVC and added that the Government hopes that all the groups under ANVC will come under the settlement. It was in January in Shillong, ahead of the Assembly elections in the State, that the Government had signed a draft peace pact with both the ANVC and the ANVC-B. The outcome of the meet was that the Government and the ANVC mutually agreed to strengthen and expand the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) after the militant outfit had scaled down from their earlier demands of formation of a separate Garo state and also constitution of Garoland Autonomous Council (GAC) in line with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has asked the State and the Central Government to expedite the final peace settlement with the outfit and all its breakaway factions, according to a report of May 8. ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak said that the delay in finalizing the peace pact may lead to the possibility of emergence of other militant outfits. “The earlier the solution, the better it is for ensuring peace in the State,” he said. It may be mentioned that Norrok X Momin, who was earlier a part of the ANVC-B, deserted the outfit and formed the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) recently. The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs headed by the Prime Minister is currently examining the final peace settlement. Read less...

A cadre of Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) identified as Wesfield C Marak alias Dakchak was arrested by the Police while he was extorting money from traders of Williamnagar market in East Garo Hills District on May 10. A pistol, ammunition and INR 60,000 were recovered from him. However, though the cadre told the Police that he was a member of ANVC-B, the ANVC-B ‘Chairman’, Rimpu Marak has said that Dakchak is not ANVC-B but he belonged to the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) led by Norrok (who recently broke away from ANVC-B). Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu N Marak has sought immediate intervention of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in resolving various issues in Garo Hills which according to the outfit, needed immediate attention and departmental ramification. In a communiqué sent to the Chief Minister, Marak said, “The drawbacks of each department in providing adequate facilities to the people can undoubtedly be assumed as the failure of the government.” Read less...

A former ‘commander’ of the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin has claimed that he was witness to the handing over of three sophisticated weapons to the outfit by Meghalaya Police in East Garo Hills District several months ago to take on the GNLA outfit. Norrok, who is presently the ‘commander-in-chief’ of the newly formed Garo outfit United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), ‘dared’ Meghalaya Police and the ANVC-B leadership to prove their innocence into the alleged allegiance. “Then Circle Inspector of Williamnagar, TC Chacko, had handed over two AK-56 and one AK-47 rifles to Rimpu Marak when he was part of the main ANVC and we were witness to it. These weapons were then handed over to ANVC-B ‘commander-in-chief’ Mukosh and remains with him in Moskhoila area,” alleged Norrok X Momin in an exclusive statement to The Shillong Times. He also said that the entire dealing had the ‘blessings’ of the Government which focused on eliminating the GNLA while on the other hand allowed the ANVC-B to thrive by indulging in extortion that continues to this day. Read less...

The ANVC-B has denied the allegation of the UALA ‘commander-in-chief’ Momin that Police had handed over three sophisticated weapons to the outfit to take on the GNLA. ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak, on May 19, said that Norok’s allegation is intended to disturb the settlement process and peaceful solution to Garo demands. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that in a shocking incident relating to militancy and extortion, five coal labourers were reportedly shot dead by armed militants in the afternoon of May 20 in retaliation for the quarry owner’s failure to pay up extortion money on time in Nangalbibra region of South Garo Hills District. The armed group is said to have served demand notes on coal mine owners throughout Nangalbibra region in the month of April and amounts ranging from INR 500000 to INR 10 million has been demanded by the outfit. The militants came to the quarry campus and pushed the labourers to one corner before opening fire on them from their automatic rifles resulting in the death of five workers and injury to many more. The full report on the attack and the number of casualties is expected only by May 21 (today) morning due to the remoteness of the region which has no proper vehicular road and mobile telecommunication network. Meanwhile, primary suspect remains the newly formed United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) headed by one Norrok X Momin. The UALA was formed after Norrok X Momin parted ways with the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) to form the new outfit. Read less...

The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged creation of ANVC-B with the ‘blessings of the Meghalaya Government and the State Police’. The political secretary of GNLA, Bikdot Nikjang, on May 21, said that with the UALA ‘commander-in-chief’ Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin revealing that the Police and the Meghalaya Government provided arms to ANVC-B to take on the GNLA, the Government should order a high level probe into the incident. “It has now come to the fore that the ANVC (B) was the creation of some politicians from Garo Hills, who are at the helm of affairs, and the Police to eliminate GNLA,” the political secretary of GNLA claimed. The UALA chief recently made a statement to the media that he was witness to the handing over of three sophisticated weapons to ANVC-B by Meghalaya Police with the blessings of the Meghalaya Government in East Garo Hills District several months ago to take on the GNLA outfit. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports Tura Police successfully intercepted a group of arms suppliers for militant groups, suspected to be Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B), and arrested eight persons besides seizing pistols and ammunition from Chibragre picnic spot of Rongram near Tura in West Garo Hills District in the morning of May 22. Two 7.62 mm pistols along with seven rounds of ammunition and five magazine holders along with eight mobile phones and INR 5000 were seized from the possession of the arrested persons. The arrestees were identified as arms dealers Samundar Daimary (26) and Bharat Basumatary (24) of Chirang District and Misambath D Sangma (28) of Goalpara District (all in assam). The four locals who were arrested and acting as conduits to sell the arms to militant groups, were identified as Henus G Momin (25) and Costing A Marak (32) of Ampati, Tinchu Ch Momin (19) of Babadam and Panseng A Sangma (35) of Dobasipara, Tura. The breakthrough came following intelligence inputs about a possible meeting between Assam-based arms suppliers and their middlemen near Tura. The Police revealed that the gang had brought the weapons allegedly to sell to ANVC-B militants who had put up an order to buy them but had also previously sold a similar consignment to the GNLA. The weapons were brought to Garo Hills from Bongaigaon region after it was delivered to the Assam trio by the main supplier. The Assam arms dealers were then to sell the weapons for INR 70,000 each to the local dealers who in turn were to resell it to the Garo militant groups for a price of INR 100000-150000 each. Read less...

The United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) on May 22 alleged that Meghalaya Police armed the ANVC-B outfit with weapons that had been seized from other militant outfits which were kept in the possession of the State force under directions from the political leadership. Also, the UALA has accused its former group leaders from the ANVC-B of executing several members who wanted to part ways from armed conflict. The UALA ‘military chief’, Norok has put forward a set of names of individuals who have disappeared in a span of three years and hold accountable the ANVC-B leaders based in West Khasi Hills District. Dikeo Marak of Dainadubi village in North Garo Hills, Egale Marak of Ampati, Cheman Sangma, Thairteen Momin, Na’chot Sangma, Sengsu Marak, Mikdang Sangma, Tenang Momin, Chenang Momin, Gribinda Momin and Soman Marak are some of the names the UALA chief claims were killed and their bodies disposed off in the jungles of West Khasi Hills. Read less...

The All India Garo Union (AIGU) has demanded a departmental inquiry against present Deputy Superintendant of Police of Nongstoin, TC Chacko, after allegations by the UALA chief that the Police official had handed over three sophisticated weapons to ANVC-B to take on the GNLA, according to a report of May 23. Though the ANVC-B has denied the allegations, the GNLA and Civil Society Women's Organization (CSWO) have also sought for a detailed inquiry into the allegations. Read less...

The ANVC-B has sought the intervention of State Home Minister Roshan Warjri to end the Police operations against them since the Government has already signed a draft peace pact, says a report of May 23. In a letter addressed to the Home Minister, the ANVC-B chairman Rimpu Marak said that they had signed the draft agreement on January 5, 2013, to bring peace to Garo Hills and adjoining areas where they have been operating so far. “We have restrained from all unlawful activities since then, hoping for peace and in order to bring about changes to our society. However, there is a constant hunt, provocation and operations against my cadres which renders it all futile”, Marak said. He also ‘revealed’ that the Police and the parent organization ANVC are operating together in Garo Hills. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has condemned the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) chief, Norok for killing five labourers in a coalmine at Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills recently. In a statement issued on May 23, ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak questioned Norrok on what he wanted to prove by killing innocent labourers, while adding that murder of innocent people for money would not bring any change to the people of Garo Hills. The ANVC-B leader also accused Norrok of killing one Silnam Momin, an ANVC-B cadre in Bolsrong, Bajengdoba area on May 19. Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak on May 24 denied that there is any new recruitment going on in the ANVC-B and maintained that there are no minor cadres with the outfit, reports Shillong Times. “We have no minor cadres. No new recruitment is going on in the ANVC-B camp. We have been waiting for the official procedure for the final peace settlement, but nothing seems to be taking place,” Marak said in a statement. Earlier, there were reports that after former ANVC-B leader Singbirth N Marak alias Norrok X Momin, who formed the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) after taking away many of the ANVC-B cadres, Rimpu Marak began recruiting cadres to add strength to the militant outfit. Further, the photograph released by the ANVC-B on May 23 raised suspicions on whether ANVC-B has roped in minors & girls to add to its strength. Read less...

Nagaland Post reports that the Breakaway faction of the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) has raised a women’s militant wing to ‘fight’ crime against women. “We are Garo women joining the ANVC (B) to be safe. Many women are raped outside, but the ANVC (B) is safe for women and we are trained to defend ourselves from men,” said Silan Ginchi Marak, the women’s ‘military wing chief’ of ANVC-B on May 25. The women rebels, numbering around 300, are located in two undisclosed camps at Garo Hills in western Meghalaya. Meghalaya Government statistics reveal that in 2012, 236 crimes were reported against women, of which 158 were rapes. Ginchi Marak also revealed that the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) leader, Norrok alias Singbirth Marak is determined to kill them but she asserted that the cadres are ready to fight Norrok’s men, ‘though neither the police nor the Government is helping them’, adds The Shillong Times. In an earlier statement, the ANVC-B had made it clear that Norrok was a coward aiming to kill ANVC-B women cadres. Read less...

The Centre has made it clear that it would not talk to any more splinter militant groups in future, The Shillong Times reported on May 27. The annual report of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for 2012-13 said that the Government was ready to hold talks with any group or outfit which is willing to abjure violence, lay down arms and agree to abide by the Constitution of India. “However, if there is a splinter group in future, then Government will not consider talking to them,” the report said. The militancy scenario in Meghalaya reveals that the members of existing three militant groups in Garo Hills, Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA), Breakaway faction of the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) and United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) were once part and parcel of the mother organization ANVC which is currently under ceasefire. While the current ‘commander-in-chief’ of GNLA, Sohan Shira was the ‘area commander’ of ANVC, the ‘chairman’ of ANVC-B, Rimpu Marak was the ‘spokesperson’ of ANVC. Further, the present ‘commander-in-chief’ of UALA was a senior ANVC-B cadre. Read less...

The Meghalaya State Women’s Commission (MSWC), on May 26, expressed concern over recent reports of women joining the militant outfits in the State. Terming it as a dangerous trend, the MSWC urged the women to return to the mainstream. Reacting to the reports of ANVC-B training women cadres, the chairperson of the commission, Theilin Phanbuh said, “It is a dangerous trend for the young women, mostly teenagers to join the militant groups to fight crimes against women.” Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on May 28 that the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B), which is awaiting the final peace pact with the Government, has said that its cadres will donate blood to the blood bank in the civil hospital, considering that blood banks in the Government hospitals in Meghalaya are facing acute shortage of blood. The outfit has also decided to organize cleaning drives and plant trees at various places and has even announced that it wants to volunteer for free tuitions to the underprivileged children from the surrounding villages and also impart training in other disciplines like sports, music and various competitive games. The outfit also pointed out that it is determined to come back to the mainstream and hopes to mend and build the society after the passage of the final peace pact. “Our anticipations are high as the peace pact would bring mass change in terms of development for the people which will ultimately help in the growth of the State,” the outfit added. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) cadres led by their ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak, on May 29, donated blood in the blood bank of Tura Civil Hospital. According to the ANVC-B, the group participated in this act as a ‘solemn gesture’ towards the sick and the poor who were awaiting supply of blood to the blood bank. The outfit said the blood donation campaign was the first phase and they would participate in similar campaigns in the coming days keeping in mind the needs of the people. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on May 31 that the magisterial probe into the killing of three breakaway factions of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militants at Dobu, Chittingbing village in East Garo Hills District of Meghalaya on March 9, 2013 revealed that no sufficient time was given by the Security Forces to the cadres to surrender. Three ANVC-B militants were killed in an encounter with Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).. The First Class Magistrate, Williamnagar, WCR Marak, who conducted the magisterial probe, said in his report, “The question on whether sufficient opportunities were given to the suspected militants to surrender cannot be answered in the affirmative”. It was at the thatched house premises of Garo couple Sengkut Sangma and Sunilla N Marak that the three ANVC-B cadres were killed. Stating that the call of the security forces to the militants to surrender may not have been so audible, the probe report said, “The house (of the couple) is situated on the edge of the village and surrounded by thick jungle. There were only one or two houses nearby and the nearest being the house of Bialson Sangma, who is also the father-in-law of Sengkut Sangma”. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma while addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers on June 5 expressed concern over the rise in the unlawful activities of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA). Sangma said, “Even though internal security situation in Meghalaya continues to be stable and under control, the GNLA remains a matter of concern.” Expressing concern over the recent activities of the breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) which has even called for road blockades and bandhs, Sangma said that even though a peace pact was signed with the ANVC, way back in 2004, lack of resources to settle them and delay in arriving at a settlement resulted in emergence of fringe militant outfits. He stated, “Other indigenous militant outfits like ANVC, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Liberation of Achik Elite Force (LAEF) have been largely neutralized following sustained efforts, but they are instigated by the likes ULFA, NDFB and NSCN who use the state as a sanctuary and passage to both Bangladesh and rest of the region.” The proscribed HNLC is almost finished but over a dozen of their cadres are still holed up across the border in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said while adding that with the help of the Centre they too can be nabbed. He also said that insurgents from neighbouring states use the long and porous Bangladesh border along Meghalaya to their advantage. He raised concern over rising militancy in the hill state due to two factors- lack of development and thin police presence- as the ones largely contributing to the continuance of militancy in the region and the State. Demanding that six companies of Central Armed Police Forces which were taken away from Meghalaya for elections in Karnataka be redeployed, Sangma sought six more companies in order to deal with the militant menace in totality. He also called for more police and border outposts to check the militants. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) cadres are in a state of disarray after their ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak went ‘missing’ following a Police raid, threatening to go back to the jungle if the Police do not release their ‘chairman’ within 24 hours. In a statement issued on June 8, Doang Shira, the ‘publicity secretary’ of ANVC-B said that their ‘chairman’ has been ‘missing’ since June 5, when the Special Operation team (SOT) and other Police personnel raided a place at Babupara in West Garo Hills District between 3pm to 4pm. According to the ‘publicity secretary’, before the incident took place, the ‘chairman’ was with two ANVC-B cadres. “After the incident, no one has seen our chairman and nobody has been able to make any contacts with him,” the ANVC-B statement said. The ‘publicity secretary’ claimed that two of their cadres were eyewitnesses to the raid carried out by the Police, but they couldn’t say anything further on what happened to the ‘chairman’ and how he disappeared from the spot. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, on June 12, informed that the peace agreement with the Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC) and its splinter group Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B) would be approved by the Union Government ‘very soon’. The Chief Minister said the Centre has intimated to the State Government that the draft peace agreement has received the recommendations of various Ministries and it would be approved by the Union Cabinet very soon. The Centre and the State Government had signed the peace pact with the ANVC and its breakaway faction in January 2013. However, soon after the agreement was signed some ANVC-B cadres led by Singbirth N Marak alias Norrok deserted the outfit and formed the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA). The ongoing peace process again took a drastic turn after the ANVC-B threatened to go back to the jungle after the outfit’s chairman, Rimpu Marak, reportedly went ‘missing’ on June 5. The outfit has blamed the State Police for Rimpu’s disappearance. Read less...

Meanwhile, the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), currently under a ceasefire agreement, has denied any role in the ‘disappearance’ of Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak, reports The Shillong Times. In a statement issued on June 13, Tangcha A Sangma, assistant publicity secretary of ANVC said there is no basis for the accusation leveled by ANVC-B that one of its cadres Sasan Sangma had informed Police about the movement of Rimpu Marak at Babupara on June 5 following which the chairman was detained and whisked away by the Police. The ANVC-B had accused that Sasan Sangma’s vehicles were used in the operation against Rimpu Marak. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that aiming to prevent youths from the rural areas from taking up arms by joining militant groups, the State Government is now mulling to set up more residential schools at the block level. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, while admitted to the fact that the tendency of youths to join militant outfits is on the rise, advocated on the need to set up more residential schools in the blocks. For such an initiative, resources will prove to be a challenge and therefore we would like the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Sangma said during a high-level meeting to review the overall law and order scenario in the State, which was attended by Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami and senior Government officials on June 11 evening. Besides setting up schools in the blocks, the State Government is also contemplating to seek special package for Meghalaya from the Centre to promote sporting activities to veer the youths away from the path of violence.“Children as young as 12 years are joining the militant outfits as they are often lured by these organizations,” the Chief Minister noted. There have been reports surfacing from time to time on use of child soldiers by Garo Hills based militant outfits including the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B). Read less...

Meanwhile, (ANVC-B) ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak, who went missing on June 5 resurfaced on June 13. ANVC-B ‘chairman’ Rimpu Marak has also expressed his commitment to sign the final peace settlement at the earliest. The ANVC-B in a statement issued to a section of the press on June 13 had said that the outfit’s cadres had rescued Rimpu from Babupara in West Garo Hills. It also said he was on the way to Delhi. ‘publicity secretary’ of ANVC-B, Doang Shira, in a statement issued on behalf of the ‘chairman’ on June 14, said that the ANVC-B leader was determined to sign the final settlement before anything goes wrong during the waiting process. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) said that the violence that erupted in Tura in West Garo Hills District following the molestation of a local girl by non tribal labourers on June 21 should not be flared up as all culprits have been arrested. ANVC-B leader Doang D Shira, on June 22, also appealed all citizens to unite in restoring peace in Garo Hills even as the outfit condemned the act of the labourers. “What happened on Friday was unfortunate as it has deeply affected the co-existence of different communities in the area, resulting in assault and deaths of some innocent people,” outfit added. Read less...

Meanwhile, the Centre is yet to give its seal of approval to the draft peace agreement between the Centre, State Government and Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), reports The Shillong Times. Sources in the State Home department on, June 27, informed that the final peace agreement is yet to be placed before the Union Cabinet for its approval. The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs headed by the Prime Minister is examining the final peace settlement with the ANVC and the Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B). After the clearance from the Political Affairs Committee, the matter will be brought before the Union Cabinet for consideration. Read less...

Angry villagers, on July 10, lynched three militants suspected to be members of ANVC-B in Omarpur village in North Garo Hills District. Read less...

Secretary of Omorpul Village, North Garo Hills District, has denied that the villagers invited alleged breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) cadres, who were lynched by villagers on July 10, for talks. In a statement, he asserted that the three people were hardcore criminals belonging to ANVC-B though they were swift to disown them. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that angry villagers of Omarpur village in North Garo Hills District, on July 10, lynched three suspected militants of the Breakaway faction of the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B), a Police official said. Police said two China-made pistols were also recovered from one of the victims. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has refuted the news report that three of its cadres were lynched by villagers at Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills District saying that the victims were civilians. In a statement issued on July 11, the outfit’s ‘publicity secretary’ Doang D. Shira said that the victims were lynched to death by a certain group of villagers which outfit believes Police would be aware of. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) is ready to include Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) ‘commander-in-chief’, Sohan D Shira in the ongoing peace process with Government. In a statement issued on July 15, ANVC-B leader, Doang D Shira said that this (making Sohan a part of peace pact) could change the situation scenario in Garo Hills. “We are open and ready to include Sohan in the signing of the peace pact,” the ANVC-B leader said. The ANVC-B- was part of the tripartite dialogue between the ANVC, the Centre and the Meghalaya Government which was held on January 5, 2013. Following the dialogue, a draft text for settlement of the ANVC issue was signed. The State Government has given its approval to the draft text and it now awaits the Centre’s approval. Read less...

The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on July 17 out rightly rejected the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) offer of joining them for peace talks, accusing them of collaborating with the Meghalaya Government in ‘eliminating’ their cadres to weaken their outfit. In response to the statement issued by the ‘publicity secretary’ of the ANVC-B, Doang D Shira, inviting his organization to join the ongoing peace process with the Government, GNLA leader, Sohan D Shira reiterated that such a proposal from the rival outfit cannot be entertained since there is a move to try and bring the rebel group to its knees by the State Government in collaboration with the ANVC-B. While it has distanced itself from having any involvement in the ANVC-B’s offer of talks, the Sohan D Shira-led GNLA has said that it was ready to talk with the Central Government. “We will talk to the Centre, not with the ANVC,” announced Sohan D Shira in a communique to The Shillong Times on July 17. He also claimed that arms including AK rifles supplied by Meghalaya Police Deputy Superintendant of Police (DSP) Chako to the ANVC-B were being used in operation to eliminate its cadres. Read less...

The breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) asked GNLA ‘C-in-C’ Sohan D Shira to reconsider the outfit’s invitation to join the ongoing peace process with the government. The ‘publicity secretary’ of ANVC-B, Doang D. Shira said, “Sohan should reconsider our invitation and see through the possibility of being part of the final settlement which will pave way for real peace.” According to ANVC-B, Sohan must understand that he was one of the signatories of the ANVC’s ceasefire agreement in 2004. The GNLA leader had earlier out rightly rejected the ANVC-B’s offer of joining the ongoing peace process. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) on July 22 once again extended an invitation to the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira to be a part of the ongoing truce agreement with the State and the Central Government for the sake of lasting peace in Garo Hills. ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak said, “We do not want our comrades led by Sohan to be left out of the benefits that are coming our way for the best of our people and the area we want them to be part of the settlement, equally sharing our platform, benefits and status in re-building our society.” Read less...

three cadres of the Breakaway faction of Achick National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) were arrested by Rongjeng Police in the East Garo Hills District in the night of July 22 for their alleged involvement in extortion, reports The Shillong Times. The arrested cadres were identified as Dinbirth Sangma (23), Rolling G Momin and Kanwar Momin (25). Read less...

The breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has urged the Government to expedite the process for overall development of Garo Hills, reports The Shillong Times. ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak, on July 31, said his group, one of the signatories of the draft agreement, was looking forward to the signing of the final agreement. The peace pact is awaiting Prime Minister’s consent. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Centre has reached an agreement with the Garo Hills-based Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) under which the autonomy of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) would be enhanced. Informing this during a press conference on August 1, Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde said the agreement would be placed before the Cabinet for approval. “We expect that the signing of the agreement with the ANVC will improve the situation in the area (Garo Hills),” he said without elaborating much. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has criticized the refusal of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D. Shira to ANVC-B’s call to join the peace pact, alleging that he has taken a hasty decision under the “influence of his political patrons.” In a statement issued on August 4, ANVC-B ‘publicity secretary’ Doang Shira said, “The decision to decline our appeal to join the peace pact was taken by a few people without consulting the top leaders of the organization which has triggered some difference in opinions among the (GNLA) cadres.” The ANVC-B said that Sohan’s patrons assured him of talks with the Government which if achieved is a good scheme but if fails, lives will be lost. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on August 9 that with no end to the militancy-related violence in Garo Hills, the former Chief Minister SC Marak feels that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) should be included in the peace process with the Government. According to Marak, when Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) was created, there was chaos and havoc in Garo Hills, but after the peace talks with ANVC, there was relative peace which, however, was shattered by the emergence of GNLA. Read less...

The breakaway faction of the Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) on August 11 termed the lynching of two of their cadres by a mob in Goalpara District of Assam on August 9 during a botched up extortion drive as ‘cold-blooded murder’, The Shillong Times. The ANVC-B also claimed that “the ‘cold-blooded murder’ of the two cadres was a ‘political conspiracy’ instigated by the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) and executed by the Garo national Union (GNU) with the blessing of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)”. “They (cadres) were there not to demand money but to collect information on Maoist intrusion in Garo areas,” ANVC-B ‘publicity secretary’, Doang Shira claimed. “UALA is finding it difficult to expand its network due to the presence of ANVC-B cadres who have been successful in ‘influencing’ several UALA cadres to return back to the ANVC-B fold,” Shira said. Read less...

The Superintendant of Police (West Garo Hills District), M. K. Singh informed that in the night of August 15, two persons, Nokman N Marak (19) and Markos Marak (20), claiming themselves as cadres of the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B), were arrested along with a country made 9mm pistol in the Kherapara area of West Garo Hills District. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on August 19 that that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has rejected a proposal by the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) to the Government to have a ‘Territorial Council’ with strengthening of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), and maintains that it would continue to pursue its goal for a Garoland State. The outfit’s ‘publicity secretary’ Pantera Singgasik said, “The ANVC-B has mooted for a Territorial Council. We wish them the best. As far as GNLA is concerned we will seek nothing short of a separate state for the Garos,” said the GNLA ‘publicity secretary’. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has cautioned the State Government on the reorganizational activities of the ANVC, alleging that the parent outfit was recruiting cadres and procuring arms from Belbong, a well-known arms supplier. The ANVC-B in a statement issued on August 27, alleged that Belbong had been arrested along with a woman accomplice a few years ago and asked the Government to check all activities of the ANVC which was planning to keep the reign of insurgency alive even after the final settlement. The ANVC-B also alleged that several ANVC cadres, despite getting a chance for rehabilitation through the settlement policy, were planning to join the GNLA or attempting to float new outfits. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on August 29 that the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) has expressed concern over the allegations levelled against its cadres by its breakaway faction, the ANVC-B. Refuting allegations that ANVC cadres were indulging in illegal activities, ANVC publicity secretary Artist Sangma said that the cadres of the outfit were disciplined. “The majority of the ANVC cadres, who are under ceasefire, are with their families and they are also engaging in small business. The allegations that the cadres are engaged in illegal activities have no basis,” said Sangma. Read less...

The Telegraph reports that the much-awaited peace pact with the A’chik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) has cleared all necessary hurdles, with the exception of one, before it is brought to the Union cabinet for approval. A Meghalaya Government official, on September 3 said the Agreed Text for Settlement with the ANVC and its breakaway factions has received clearance from all Union ministries with the exception of the law ministry. “All hurdles have been cleared, and it is lying with the Union law ministry now for its comments. Maybe once the pact is signed and implemented, constitutional amendments will be required,” the official said. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has reiterated that it neither allows its cadres to extort nor resort to dacoity like its splinter group, United A'chik Liberation Army (UALA), reports The Shillong Times. In a statement issued on September 12, the ANVC-B said that the outfit’s policy is different from that of other organisations because of its leaders who are more conscious of the change needed for a better society. “UALA cadres are nothing but dacoits who do not spare even INR 5 from poor villagers and they are the ones who continue to extort in our name using our old letter pads,” the outfit said. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has demanded official ‘Suspension of Operations’ against its cadres on the basis of the peace pact between the outfit and the State Government. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on September 15, Jakrik Wareng A Sangma, ‘general secretary’ of ANVC-B, said that despite taking part in the peace pact, no official proceedings have been undertaken for suspension of operations and support or assistance for the cadres, unlike the treatment meted out to its parent group, ANVC. Read less...

Heavily armed United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) militants attacked the residence of a Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) cadre in Williamnagar town of East Garo Hills lobbing grenades and opening fire from automatic weapons in the night of September 16. As many as eight to nine suspected UALA cadres belonging to Norrok X Momin group entered Kusimkolgre locality of Williamnagar at around 12:30 in the night and called out for ANVC-B cadre Dokrak. When the family members failed to respond, the militants fired from AK rifles and even lobbed two powerful hand grenades, one of which exploded damaging the outside walls of the house and a car. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has strongly condemned the attack on the residence of its cadres at Williamnagar by United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) militants. In a statement issued here on September 18, ANVC-B spokesperson Nado R Marak described the attack on innocent family members as an act of cowardice. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) on October 20 celebrated its foundation day with the village folks and the cadres at its Eden Bari Camp at Tura in West Garo Hills District, reports The Shillong Times. Speaking at the celebration, ANVC-B ‘chairman’, Rimpu Marak, warned of pseudo ANVC-Bs who are mostly the deserters who are trying to malign the name of the organization by carrying out illegal activities using the letter pads, seals and name of the organization.“Most of these cadres have joined UALA [United A'chik Liberation Army] and some have flouted new organisations just to collect money and people should beware of any individual demanding or threatening in the name of ANVC-B,” the ‘chairman’ said. ANVC–B) strongly emphasized on the outfit’s policy of serving to the cause of the people with a mission to bring about long lasting peace to the five Districts of Garo Hills adds The Sentinel. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that with the dwindling resources to maintain camps and to feed the cadres, the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has joined coal business for survival. The ANVC-B, a faction of parent organization ANVC, had also joined the peace pact with Government in January 2013. “Hundreds of cadres are at various camps with no proper food and clothing, waiting for the final solution which is being delayed and making it tough for us each passing day”, said Doang D. Shira, ‘Publicity Secretary’ ANVC-B. In a statement issued to the media on October 27, the ANVC-B said that militant outfit had two-day review meeting to discuss these issues and decided to find alternative resources to maintain the camps and the cadres by doing businesses.“In this context, ANVC-B decided to supply and export coal to maintain the camps and the cadres so as not to lose control over its cadres”, Shira said Read less...

the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer’s Council (ANVC-B), on November 7, has made serious allegations about the presence of a ‘mole’ in the State Police who informed the GNLA militants about the movement of the five police personnel, who were killed in the ambush. In a statement, ANVC-B alleged that that the movement of Police escorts was specifically informed to the GNLA. The ANVC-B said that the attack has given a glimpse of accessibility of GNLA into Police activities, which is not going to prove safe in the long run. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that suspected Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) militants, who entered from the porous Bangladesh border, shot dead two Border Security Force (BSF) constables and snatched away their INSAS rifles at around 10.20 am on November 8 near Kaithakona outpost in South West Garo Hills District. The slain BSF constables have been identified as Sushish Biswas and Papu Kumar Yadav. The fresh killing comes at a time when security had already been beefed up after the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants killed five policemen in the same district on November 5. A BSF official said that inputs suggest that it was the ANVC-B militants who were involved in the attack. However, the ANVC-B was quick to react denying its role in the killing of BSF personnel while asserting that GNLA militants were involved in the crime. According to the ANVC-B, the GNLA is not alone but is being backed by foreign elements including ULFA. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on November 11 that Contrary to the BSF’s assessment that suspected ANVC-B cadres were behind the attack which resulted in the killing of two of the border guards’, the ANVC-B on November 10, claimed that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) perpetrated the violent act in retaliation to the seizure of the latter’s weapons by the BSF recently. According to ANVC-B, the GNLA cadres who attacked the BSF men on November 8 had a plan to drop the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres to receive the arms consignment which was seized by the BSF a day before.”The ULFA cadres had helped GNLA in the South Garo Hills ambush which resulted in the death of five policemen,” ANVC-B publicity secretary Doang D Shira said in a statement. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has assured its counterpart Border Security Force (BSF) of full cooperation in arresting the militants involved in the killing to its two guards on November 8 by suspected breakaway faction of Achik national Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militants. The assurance came from BGB during a sector-level meeting which was held at Bagli (South West Khasi Hills District) international border on November 10. The meeting decided to maintain a better co-ordination between the two forces while acting against militants. BSF and BGB are also conducting joint patrolling along the priority patches of the 443 Km Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya sector. Read less...

coal traders in Borsora and Nongjri areas in South West Khasi Hills District are concerned over the activities of militants from Garo Hills and Assam which are demanding money ranging from INR 500,000 to INR two million, reports The Shillong Times on November 13. According to a coal trader who received a demand note of INR 1 million from the GNLA, it is not only the GNLA that is working together with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and are demanding money from the traders in the area but the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) is also operating and competing with the said militants outfits. In a letter sent by the GNLA to the trader, the militants warned him to ‘cooperate without failure’ and warned that any ‘thoughtless act’ (by the trader) would lead to serious consequences as ‘actions’ will be taken according to their (GNLA) law. Read less...

the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), currently under ceasefire since July 2004 has expressed concern over delay on the part of the Government to release the monthly stipend of INR 3,000 each, which has been pending since March this year. “It is almost eight months now that our cadres are without stipend which made the lives of our cadres miserable,” the ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma said on November 14 while urging Government to release the same at the earliest. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has reiterated its claims of a violent clash with the Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) in Rongmin Chiring of South Garo Hills and has refused to accept the Police version about shooting of an empty jhum hut and a dog, reports The Shillong Times on November 18. The ANVC-B issued a clarification saying that the Police version of the incident is not correct. The Police investigation dismissed the claims of the ANVC-B about any encounter and the investigation has instead indicated that it was a staged incident in which militants from the same group are accused of planting an old wireless set and a few empty ammunition shells to blame a rival outfit. Read less...

Following claims by the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) that it had attacked a Garo national Liberation Army (GNLA) camp and injured three cadres on November 13 at a place called Rongmil Chiring in South Garo Hills, a special team of the Meghalaya Police was deputed to scout the area, but never came across any militant camp and instead found a small empty thatched room in a jhum field that was riddled with bullet holes reports The Shillong Times on November 18. A blood trail led to the recovery of a dog injured with a bullet wound. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports on November 20 that as many as seven Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) cadres have reportedly fled from their liaison office at Tura youth hostel with a substantial number of weapons to form a new outfit called the A’chik Tigers Force (ATF) blaming the Government and the outfit’s leaders for turning a blind eye to their problems. The cadres reportedly fled under the leadership of Balsrang who happens to be the camp in-charge. Speaking to The Shillong Times, Balsrang said that seven of them abandoned the outfit on November 15 and decamped with five automatic assault rifles, seven pistols, ten hand grenades and four hundred rounds of ammunition from the armory of the ANVC. “We have been unhappy with the state of affairs in our organization. The government has not given us our stipend for the last eight months and have abandoned us,” said Balsrang, who has now taken the name of Dilchong Ioimingchi to lead the ATF. He also attacked the ANVC leaders for treating its cadres with disdain and blamed the leadership for the present crisis within the outfit. “We are no longer able to withstand the suffering and felt the only way was to return to the jungle and once again lead an armed struggle,” said the new militant chief. There is apprehension that more cadres of the group could follow in their footsteps as the new militant chief has revealed that it is wooing other disgruntled members of the ANVC to join their fold. This will be the third major split within the ANVC since its formation in the mid 1990s. The first split took place in 2009 with its former militant commander Sohan D Shira leaving the group to form his own Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA). In 2012, the ANVC suffered another split when its spokesman Rimpu (Bernard) Marak alias Torik Jangning left the group to form the ANVC-Breakaway (ANVC-B). Read less...

Though the ANVC has admitted that Sangma went missing on November 15, from Tura, the militant outfit is not sure whether he formed a new militant organisation called Achik Tiger Force (ATF). In a statement issued on November 21, Tangcha A.Sangma, assistant publicity secretary of ANVC, said that that only one of the cadres Balsrang Sangma has been missing from the camp since November 15 along with an office vehicle and not seven cadres as reported. Commenting on the missing cadre, the ANVC said: “Till date he is untraceable and we cannot confirm whether he has deserted the outfit and floated a new outfit or he has been kidnapped by persons unknown or other groups and the statement about the formation of ATF is a ploy to throw the Police and our organisation off track from looking for him”. “As for the report about the arms stolen from the armoury, we would like to clarify that there is no armoury at the liaison office as all the arms have been shifted from joint custody to the police reserve two years back, the ANVC leader said. The ANVC asserted that till any concrete information regarding his whereabouts is known, Balsrang is still part of the organization and “we will continue searching for him”. Read less...

United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) has blamed the Breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) for the disappearance of ANVC cadre, Balsrang Sangma from the liaison office at Tura Youth Hostel on November 15, reports The Shillong Times on November 23. The militant ‘chief’ of UALA, Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin, has claimed that ANVC cadre Balsrang Sangma did not go on his own free will but has been abducted by the ANVC-B to target the parent organization, ANVC. “He (Balsrang) was driving ANVC leader Togan’s vehicle when he was intercepted by militants from the ANVC-B and taken away. The entire incident has the involvement of the ANVC-B,” claimed Norrok Momin while speaking to The Shillong Times. Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has called for a public opinion on free and fair trade in Garo Hills and also on measures to check price rise. In a statement issued on November 24, the ANVC.B said that obstruction to free and fair trade in Garo Hills is a major concern and it is sad to see why outsiders are progressing considerably in short span of time at the cost of the locals. Read less...

The State Government, on November 25, said that it has done its part on the final peace pact with the Achik National Voulunteer Council (ANVC) and now, Centre has to take a final decision. “The State Government has done its part on the aspect of truce and now the ball is in the court of the Central Government”, a senior Government official said. Read less...

The Political Affairs Department has shelved an important magisterial inquiry into the allegation of militant outfit United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) that Police had armed Breakaway faction of ANVC (ANVC-B) with weapons seized from other militant groups, to take on Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), reports The Shillong Times on December 4. The allegation of UALA, the breakaway group of ANVC-B, made in May this year was that with the blessings of the Police and the Government, the then Circle Inspector of Williamnagar, TC Chacko, had handed over two AK-56 and one AK-47 rifles to ANVC-B leader Rimpu Marak when he was part of the parent group ANVC and the UALA chief Singbirth Marak alias Norrok X Momin was witness to it. Read less...

The Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has asked Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to listen to the voice of people as far as the demand of the pressure groups to introduce ILP was concerned. In a statement issued here on November 4, the publicity secretary of ANVC-B, Doang D Shira said that while the Government listens to militant organizations who are ready to ‘kill’, the voice of the people during the rally on ILP held in Shillong is ignored. According to the ANVC-B, the stubborn attitude of the Government is turning Meghalaya into a battlefield. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that though Chief Minister Mukul Sangma met the Prime Minister on December 4 in Delhi and urged him to speed up the peace pact with Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), the Centre has asked the State Government to provide more inputs on the structure of the Council once it is empowered with 10 more additional seats from the current 30 seats. Sangma, during his recent visit to the Union Capital, had urged the Prime Minister for expeditious finalization of agreement with ANVC in Meghalaya. However, the process of final settlement will be delayed since the Union Home Ministry has sought further clarity on the number of reserved and nominated seats in the Council as per the draft peace settlement. An agreement has been reached with the ANVC mainly enhancing autonomy of the existing Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). The agreement will be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval and once finalized; it will also be applicable to Khasi Hills autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). The Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde had assured Sangma that his ministry is preparing a note for a settlement with the ANVC. Read less...

The Shillong Times reports that the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has accused the State Government of indulging in partial treatment of its cadres, stating that most of its cadres are joining new outfits since the Government is sidelining the ANVC-B while providing all support to its parent outfit, ANVC. In a statement issued on December 9, ANVC-B leader, Doang D Shira said that after signing of the Peace Pact, ANVC-B cadres had come over ground but never received any support from the Government. “Mukul Sangma invited us to be part of the peace pact which we now see as a political ploy. Our response for peace is seen by the Government as a way to corner us,” the ANVC-B leader said, adding, “We came forward for peace but the Government’s failure to provide support and packages have disheartened our cadres.” Read less...

The Breakaway faction of the ANVC (ANVC-B) has asked the State Police to refrain from provoking the outfit, reports The Shillong Times. The ANVC-B is miffed with the fact that two police vehicles were making random checks in the vicinity of its camp, right after the group made a public statement against negligence on the part of the Government. Read less...

A cadre belonging to Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B), identified as Geidon G Momin had surrendered in Tura in West Garo Hills District on December 13. He was the ‘area commander’ of North Garo Hills. On his lead, one 9 mm pistol and 5 rounds of ammunition were recovered from one Damas, Police added. Read less...

Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) accused the ANVC of setting up an ambush for the leaders of the breakaway faction at Chandmari ATM in Tura of West Garo Hills District, reports The Shillong Times. Rangdo R. Marak, “joint secretary” of the ANVC-B asked the ANVC cadres to “stop hunting us” or “we will be forced to retaliate for which we will not be responsible”. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested a Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militant, Tengseng T Sangma, from Gasuapara in South Garo Hills District, reports The Shillong Times. SFs also seized extortion notes from his possession. Read less...

ANVC-B alleged one of their cadres was arrested by State Police at Mendipathar in East Garo Hills District, reports The Shillong Times. “Freedom of our cadres is forcefully being snatched by state Police, we do not have freedom in our own land, we cannot move about anywhere anymore. This festive season will see many of our cadres behind cell. Our patience is being tested and frustrated,” ANVC-B ‘leader’ Rangdo Marak said.The ANVC-B accused the State Government of intentionally provoking them and having no idea things can get real ugly if the outfit lose control of its cadres. Rangdo Marak warned the State Government to stop hunt when things are still in control for peace sake and if things go out of hand ANVC-B need not be held responsible. Read less...

Encouraged by the wide acceptance of their earlier album, the Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) is now coming up with its new Christmas Album ‘Juta Gital’ (New Shoe), reports The Shillong Times. In a statement issued on December 18, ANVC-B leader Doang Shira said that the album will be a gift to the people this Christmas. He asserted that ANVC-B songs have made a big impact in the minds of young people and the songs have strong messages with unique improvisation which have made a big impact among the young and old alike, specially the Youths. He said that though ANVC-B is a part of the “Peace Pact” but Government treats them like rebels and outlaws. Read less...

Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has virtually ruled out the alleged nexus between politicians and militant outfits in Garo Hills by saying that no evidence has been found till date to substantiate the allegation, reports The Shillong Times. Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Dr Sangma said “Government has already issued the necessary instructions to the various law enforcing agencies to investigate this matter.” The CM said that till date there is no evidence to prove this charge. Reacting strongly to the statement made by Breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) that its ‘chairman’ was very close to the CM, Dr Sangma said that he expected the media persons to verify the authenticity of such statements from him before publishing. Read less...