Formation
The Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) was formed in December 1995. It was proscribed on November 16, 2000. The outfit, signed a ceasefire agreement with the Govenrment of India on JUly 23, 2004.
Objectives
The ANVC aims to carve out a homeland called ‘Achik Land’ in the areas of Garo Hills. The proposed ‘Achik Land’ comprises the present districts of Garo Hills in Meghalaya and a large chunk of Kamrup and Goalpara district of Assam. The ‘Garo majority' in these areas is used as the argument for this demand. The ANVC differs from the other Garo separatist organisation, Garo National Council (GNC), which aims for a Garo State comprising only the three districts of the Garo hills.
Leadership
Dilash R. Marak is the ‘Chairman’ of the ANVC. The outfit’s ‘Commander-in-Chief’ is Jerome Momin. Among the other leaders are ‘General Secretary’, Wanding R. Marak, ‘Publicity Secretary’, Artist Sengsrang Sangma, ‘Joint Secretary’, Janggam Momin, and ‘Finance Secretary’ Rickie Sangma.
The outfit divides its area of operation into several zones and each zone is headed by a ‘commander’. The cadres who function as commanders of different zones are: Chenang Marak (Eastern Zone), Goran Sangma (Southern Zone), Batjang Shera (Western Zone), Ranggam Marak (West Khasi Hills).
Area commanders function below the zonal commanders in the operational hierarchy. Sohan D. Shira functions as the ‘Area Commander’ of Williamnagar.
The leadership maintains strict vigil on the activities of its cadres. This was manifest in the threats it issued in the year 2000 to its surrendering cadres, who were doing so under the rehabilitation package announced by the Union Government in the year 1998-99, and their family members. The outfit also warned them not to join any other outfit.
Area of Operation
The ANVC, during its active days, was active in the Garo Hills and in certain parts of the West Khasi Hills. It maintained its headquarters at Cheram in the Garo hills area. Among its activities were extortion from the business community in the name of ‘fund collection’. Besides that, the outfit also pumped fake currency into circulation.
Linkages
The outfit was reportedly formed with the assistance of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Issak Muivah (NSCN-IM). However, it has severed its entire links with the Naga outfit as well as with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). The outfit now maintains links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), especially after the latter wound up some of its camps in Bhutan and is in the process of relocating them in the Garo Hills. The ANVC has some of its camps in Bangladesh. It is also involved in fake currency circulation initiated by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's external intelligence agency. In Meghalaya, ANVC, along with the other prominent outfit, HNLC, abets this infusion of fake currency and in turn receives considerable operating funds. Extortion remains the major source of funding for the ANVC. Incidents of abduction are frequent in the state. Money is regularly collected from the trading community of the area in the name of ‘fund collection’. However, extortion remains the major source of funding for the ANVC. Incidents of abduction are frequent in the State. Money is regularly collected from the trading community of the area in the name of ‘fund collection’.
Peace Process
On July 23, 2004 a cease-fire agreement was signed between the Government of India and the ANVC for a period of six months. A seven member ANVC team, with the notable absence of Chairman Dilash Marak and Commander-in-Chief Jerome Momin signed the agreement in New Delhi. The agreement has since been periodically extended.
A ceasefire-monitoring cell has been set up at the Coal India Complex at Araimile in Tura, headquarter of the West Garo Hills district. Two designated camps for housing the surrendered militants have also been set up at Samada and Chokpot in the Garo Hills region.