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Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC)
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.
Incidents
2012
-
January 29: The HNLC and GNLA, of
Meghalaya are shifting their bases in Bangladesh towards the Tripura
border.
-
January 25: The ANVC has warned that its cadres would
be forced to break the ceasefire agreement and take up arms to protect
themselves if the GNLA continued to target its cadres. Taking strong
cognizance of the GNLA's bid to kill three ANVC cadres, its spokesperson
Torik Jangning Marak said, "Situation will be worsened if the GNLA
continues to target our cadres." A group of around 15 armed GNLA cadres
had made a failed attempt to kill three ANVC at Soksan village under
Mendipathar Police station in East Garo Hills on January 24. Marak
also urged the State Government to provide security to the ANVC cadres
who are currently under ceasefire agreement.
2011
-
December 20: At least 180 ANVC militants,
currently in ceasefire with the Central Government, have not been
receiving their allowance of INR 3,000 each for the last six months.
-
December 8: BSF arrested one Achik
Special Dragon Party, a Bangladesh based outfit and former ANVC
cadre, identified as Kumen Sangma, while he was trying to infiltrate
into India. According to the BSF, the arrested cadre has close connections
with the GNLA and helps them in their trans-border activities.
-
December 4: After the GNLA accused
the ANVC of killing and terrorizing people, the latter has reiterated
its desire to work with the State Government to neutralize the GNLA.
In a statement, ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "If
needed ANVC will work with the Government to wipe out GNLA."
-
December 1: The Centre has asked
the State Government to firm up its mind on the demand of the ANVC,
currently under ceasefire, to have a Garoland Autonomous Council
on the lines of the Bodoland Territorial Council. The recent signing
of a settlement with the UPDS has also prompted the Centre to speed
up finalising settlements with other militants groups in the Northeast.
-
November 29: The ANVC urged the coal exporters of
Garo Hills to immediately stop exporting coal to neighbouring Bangladesh.
The appeal comes in wake of unconfirmed reports that the GNLA 'chairman'
Champion Sangma has been detained in Bangladesh and he is presently
under the custody of Bangladeshi authorities. Speaking to The
Shillong Times, ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangnnign Marak said
that the coal traders should immediately stop exporting coal to
Bangladesh so that Bangladesh Government will come under pressure
and hand over Champion Sangma to India.
-
November 7: The report on the 'secret
killings' by the ANVC militants will be submitted before the State
Cabinet for further discussions. The State Government had ordered
for a probe after GNLA accused the ANVC of masterminding 'secret
killings' of several Garo youths.
-
October 19: Centre's interlocutor
PC Haldar said that the Union Government is still examining the
political demands of the Garo militant outfit, ANVC, which is currently
under ceasefire agreement, for creation of the Garoland Territorial
Council in line with that of the Bodoland Territorial Council in
Assam. "We have had a discussion with the ANVC on this matter. The
Union Government is still examining their demand," Haldar, who is
the Centre's interlocutor for talks with ULFA, ANVC and other militant
groups in Assam, said. He however said that no specific time line
has been set by the Union Government.
-
October 18: The one-man inquiry
committee, constituted to probe 'secret killing' by the ANVC militants,
has submitted its report. This was informed by the Commissioner
and Secretary (Commissioner of Division Tura) Peter W Ingty, who
headed the panel. The ANVC was accused of killing several Garo youths
by the GNLA. The GNLA had accused the ANVC cadres of indulging into
'secret killings'.
-
October 17: The ANVC leaders are
likely to meet the State Government officials shortly to discuss
creation of a Garoland Territorial Council. Indicating this, the
outfit's spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "We will be meeting
the top officials to know the Government's stand on our various
demands including creation of a territorial council". The Centre
has already directed the State Government to submit its recommendations
on various demands of the Garo militant outfit under ceasefire with
the Central government.
-
October 11: The Meghalaya Government
has sought more time to finalise the long-pending demands of the
Garo hills-based militant outfit, the ANVC despite the Centre's
request to speed up the process. Chief minister Mukul Sangma, during
his recent visit to Delhi, met Union home minister P. Chidambaram
and discussed the settlement of ANVC's demands. The key demands
of the ANVC, currently in ceasefire, include creation of a Garoland
autonomous council on the lines of the Bodoland Territorial Council
and direct funding from the Centre for the administration of the
proposed council. The Centre had earlier sought the state's views
on ANVC's demands and subsequently a high-level committee was formed
to give its final views on the issue.
The ANVC had submitted its charter
of demands to the Prime Minister and the home minister besides the
state political leaders. However, the State Government has viewed
the demand of the ANVC to have a separate council and to have direct
funding from the Centre as a contentious issue, which required further
deliberation.
The tripartite ceasefire agreement
between the Centre, State Government and the ANVC was extended by
another year effective from October 1.
-
September 18: ANVC had asked the
GNLA to shun the path of violence. ANVC Spokesman Torik Jangning
Marak said ''we appeal to the GNLA to lay down arms and follow our
path of peaceful negotiation.'' GNLA has given a call for 300 hours
dawn-to-dusk bandh (General shut down) in the three Garo
Hills Districts, namely East, West and South Garo Hills.
The GNLA has 'rescheduled' its proposed
bandh by withdrawing its threat of closure on September 30
and the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
-
September 5: Opposition leader Conrad
Sangma said the law and order situation of Garo hills would definitely
figure during the Assembly session along with other important issues.
While there is a rise in violent activities of GNLA in the form
of abduction, extortion and killings, ANVC, currently under ceasefire,
has asked the GNLA to stop violence in Garo hills.
-
September 4: The ANVC, currently
under ceasefire, has welcomed the inquiry instituted by the Meghalaya
Government to probe the alleged secret mass killings by the militant
outfit. ANVC spokesperson Arist Marak said the outfit would co-operate
with the investigation and will have nothing to hide any information.
The probe is based on a demand by the GNLA who had earlier, accused
the ANVC of indulging in 'secret killings' of civilians.
-
September 1: The GNLA announced
four days of bandh (general shut down) beginning on September
9 with intervals if the Government does not respond to their demand
by September 8. The outfit has demanded an inquiry into the "secret
killing" of innocent youths by the ANVC in West Garo Hills.
-
August 25: The ANVC termed the GNLA
as a stooge of the Assam based anti talk militant groups that are
under the control of Pakistani ISI. Reiterating its stand that the
GNLA in league with the anti-talk groups from Assam are trying to
exploit the people and to disturb the ongoing peace process in Garo
hills, the ANVC leader said that his cadres will go to any extent
to thwart such exploitative elements.
-
August 18: In the face of severe
criticism from several corners, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said the
State Government would never take the support of ANVC in the operation
against the GNLA currently underway in Garo Hills, a remark which
is in deviation from his earlier statement wherein he had welcomed
the ANVC 'offer of help'. He clarified that taking their support
would mean allowing the ANVC to again carry arms which is not acceptable.
-
August 17: The ANVC issuing a 'quit
Garo Hills notice' to ULFA and NDFB, the NDFB said that the ANVC
"has no right to chase them out" because the outfit does not have
any base in Garo Hills. "We are also fighting for the people. If
the ANVC doesn't want our people living in Garo Hills, we urge the
ANVC to take the Garos living in places in Assam like Goalpara,
Kokrajhar, Kamrup etc," said NDFB's 'corporal' D Mingki.
-
August 16: The ANVC, currently under
ceasefire, has set a 20-day deadline for the NDFB and ULFA militants
to move out of Garo hills. The stand of the ANVC comes in the wake
of the GNLA terrorising people of the region with the support of
the two outfits. The earlier report in this regard did not mention
the deadline.
-
August 15: The ANVC told ULFA and
NDFB to leave the Garo Hills region saying the two outfits were
associated with Pakistan's ISI.
"They (ULFA and NDFB) are under direct
influence of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and were involved
in various attacks in Garo Hills in the last couple of months. They
should quit Garo Hills in the next 20 days starting from today (Monday),"
ANVC Spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said. In a statement, Marak
accused the ULFA and NDFB together with the GNLA with having killed
more than eight people including three Meghalaya Policemen in the
recent past.
The war of words between GNLA and
the ANVC and the growing threat perception over the outfits' declaration
war on each other is making residents and NGOs of Garo hills jittery.
Though the ANVC had been making mild threats in the past, the sudden
decision to go on the offensive came after the GNLA decided to call
a bandh (general shut down) in Garo hills on August 16 in protest
against the killing of four of its cadres on August 9. SFs had killed
the four militants, including 'deputy commander-in-chief' of GNLA,
Savio Marak, based on information passed by an undercover Policeman,
Hubert Marak. Hubert, who had acted a Police deserter to infiltrate
the GNLA, had stayed with the outfit for ten days, during which he
passed vital information to Police.
-
August 3: The State Government has
welcomed a recent offer by the ANVC to assist in the ongoing operation
against the GNLA. Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said "We would be more
than happy to accept the ANVC offer to assist the Government in
the operation against the GNLA. We would welcome the support of
any group to end militancy in Garo Hills".
-
July 18: The ANVC, a militant outfit
under ceasefire, said in a press release that if the GNLA was aware
of what ANVC was capable of, then it would be best for it not to
attempt anything that would harm the people of Meghalaya, the Garos
in particular. "If the GNLA is seriously talking about the Garoland
issue and the Achik's cause, they should lay down arms and surrender
instead of causing tremendous hardship to the people of Garo Hills.
The NDFB and the ULFA should leave Garo Hills immediately as it
has been proved that the NDFB was involved in the killing of three
policemen at Medipathar and the killing at Williamnagar. It has
also been proved that the ULFA was involved in the killing of five
coal labourers at Goka," the press release said. The ANVC said the
GNLA should stop this practice of "authorizing killing of own brethren
by outsiders".
-
July 13: In what can be an indication
of intensified rivalry between two militant outfits of Garo Hills,
the ANVC has accused the GNLA of trying to poach its cadres by offering
up to INR 3 Million. "The GNLA tried to buy our cadres with offers
up to Rs 30 lakh," ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said in
a statement on July 14. The outfit also alleged that GNLA cadres
are assuming names (alias) similar to ANVC leaders. The ANVC,
currently under ceasefire with the Government, had alleged that
the GNLA is in cahoots with the NDFB and the ULFA. The GNLA had
also cautioned the State Government not to entertain the ANVC's
appeal to allow its cadres to carry weapons "to protect themselves
from the GNLA".
The deployment of two COBRA units
of the CRPF and five companies of specially trained BSF personnel
to assist the State Police in Garo hills explained the gravity of
the subversive activities being carried by the GNLA. Admitting that
the GNLA activities have increased in recent months, a senior Police
official involved in monitoring the Police operations, however, rubbished
the notion that the State police had failed to curb the activities
of the militant outfit. "In the type of situation that we are involved,
there were occasions that we were down, but overall success rate should
be appreciated," stated the Police official. He said that seven GNLA
camps had been busted in the past six months. He said that this was
no ordinary achievement.
-
July 7: The ANVC, currently under
a truce with the Government of India, has now asked for its arms,
which they had deposited at the time of the ceasefire in 2004, back
for "protection" from the GNLA. The outfit wrote a letter to state
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh asking for the arms following killing
of a mentally deranged person by suspected GNLA cadres near an ANVC
designated camp at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District recently.
The ANVC has around 16 arms, including AK series rifles and pistols,
deposited in a locked armoury in custody of Tura Police. The outfit
has also asserted that the GNLA is working with the ISI of Pakistan.
The ANVC demanding for a Garoland Autonomous Council had entered
into a tripartite ceasefire with the Central and the State governments
on July 23, 2004.
-
June 21: The Union Ministry of Home
Affairs had asked the State Government to speed up the process of
sending its recommendations on the demands of the ANVC. Leaders
of the militant outfit recently met the Centre's interlocutor P.C.
Haldar and Joint Secretary, MHA, S Singh in New Delhi to apprise
them of the delay on the part of the State Government in sending
the recommendations. The ANVC's main demand is creation of GAC in
line with the BTC in Assam.
-
June 6: The banned ANVC, a militant
group in Meghalaya, expressed concern on the slow pace of political
negotiation for the creation of an autonomous council. "We are not
happy with the inordinate delay of the political negotiations. We
will be leaving for Delhi in a day or two to raise the issue," ANVC
spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said. During their proposed visit
to New Delhi, the ANVC leaders would meet Centre interlocutor Pradyot
Chandra Haldar and Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs for
North East Shambu Singh.
-
May 8: The current instability in
the ruling Mukul Sangma led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) Government
has not only affected functioning of the Government machinery, but
also hampered the peace process with the ANVC. The ANVC which is
under a "Suspension of Operation" agreement with the government
is concerned that processing of their demands would be delayed further
if there is yet another Government change.
ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak
said, "Everything will have to be started from the scratch if a new
government comes to power." Political instability in the MUA Government
has been going on for nearly six months in the wake of dissidence
in the ruling Congress against the leadership of Chief Minister Mukul
Sangma.
The outfit has been demanding for creation
of a GAC in line with the BTC in Assam. The State Government is believed
to be at the final stage of drafting its recommendations on the ANVC
demand for GAC to be submitted to the Union Government.
-
March 22: The Union Government
extended the ceasefire with the ANVC, a militant outfit in Meghalaya,
by another three months till June 22. The decision to extend the
six-year-old tripartite truce between the Union Government and Meghalaya
Government and the ANVC was taken after intense negotiations. The
meeting was attended by Joint Secretary in Home Ministry (North
East Affairs-in-charge) Naveen Verma, Meghalaya Principal Resident
Commissioner AK Bhalla and ANVC ‘General Secretary’ Wanding K Marak.
"We have agreed in principle that the ceasefire will be extended
for another three months from this day," ANVC ‘spokesman’ Arist
Sangma told after the joint monitoring group meeting in New Delhi.
ANVC, a tribal Garo militant outfit operating in Garo Hills region
of Meghalaya, is fighting for creation of Garoland Territorial Council.
It had entered into a tripartite ceasefire with the central and
the Meghalaya Governments on July 23, 2004. The ceasefire was to
expire on March 31.
-
March 14: Setting condition for
talks, the ANVC has asked PC Haldar, the Union Government’s peace
interlocutor to hold meeting with them at Tura, the District Headquarters
of West Garo hills District. "The government has invited us
to Shillong for a meeting with Haldar, but we have asked the government
to hold the meeting in Tura," ANVC’s spokesman, Arist Sangma
said. However, Government officials said they are yet to receive
ANVC’s request. Haldar is scheduled to arrive in Shillong on March
15 to meet Meghalaya Government officials and ANVC leaders on March
16. The six-year-old tripartite ceasefire agreement which was signed
in July 2004 between the Centre, Meghalaya Government and the ANVC
will expire on March 31. The outfit had threatened to return to
armed struggle over the centre’s unilateral decision to have a periodic
ceasefire agreement rather than the indefinite one, besides government
dismissing its demand for creation of a Garo Territorial Council.
However, the ANVC had decided to
seek views from the public representatives on whether the outfit
should continue the ceasefire agreement or return to its armed struggle.
Chief Minister DD Lapang who also favored the extension of ceasefire
agreement with ANVC said that the people in Garo hills did not want
return of violence in Garo Hills. Earlier, the UAPF also favored
extension of the cease-fire agreement between the banned militant
outfits. "We want the government to extend the tripartite ceasefire
agreement with the ANVC to ensure peace in the Garo Hills,’’ UAPF
Chairman, president G C R Marak said.
2010
-
December
20: The ANVC dropped a strong hint of going back to its earlier
demand for a separate Garoland while blaming the State Government
for the slow progress of the negotiation process. The State Government
is yet to file its recommendations to the Centre on the outfit's
key demands. The ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "We
have come down from our earlier demand with a hope of finding an
early solution to all the issues, but the State Government is taking
us quite lightly."
-
October 6: The State Government
will submit its final views on the various demands of the ANVC to
the Union Government within three months. "The Government is examining
the outfit's memorandum in which the demand for creation of a Garoland
Autonomous Council in Garo Hills is made," Chief Secretary W.M.S
Pariat. "We will submit our views to the Centre within three months,"
Pariat said. The ceasefire between the Union Government and the
ANVC was extended without any time frame on September 30.
-
September 14: The
ANVC said the outfit is ready to support the civic elections in
Garo Hills if it did not harm the interest of the Garo people. "We
may support the election provided it does not reduce the status
of Garo people in the municipal areas," ANVC spokesperson Torik
Jangning Marak said. He, however, said the Government should first
settle the ANVC issue before going for the civic elections in Garo
Hills in view of the outfit''s demand for constitution of ''Garoland
Autonomous District Council'' in the line of the Bodoland Territorial
Area Council in Assam.
-
August 30: Meghalaya
Government would go for peace talks with the ANVC. State Chief Secretary
W.M.S. Pariat said, "We are trying to expedite the entire talk process."
While defending the Government for the delay in talks, the Chief
Secretary said, "These matters require a lot of ground work and
hence the delay."
-
August 29: The Meghalaya Government
assured the ANVC of releasing the funds for maintaining the outfit's
designated camps. "We are committed to release the funds by Tuesday,"
State Chief Secretary W.M.S. Pariat said.
-
August 25: The Union Home Minister,
P. Chidambaram said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that
a number of groups are engaged in talks with the Government of India.
Among them are National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah
(NSCN-IM), pro-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of
Bodoland (NDFB), Nunisa faction of the Dima Halim Daogah (DHD),
Black Widow (BW), United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS),
Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), Karbi Longri North Cachar
Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Kuki National Organization (KNO)
and United Peoples Front (UPF), he said. H further added, "We have
appointed two Interlocutors: RS Pandey to talk to the NSCN (IM)
and PC Haldar to talk to NDFB (PT), DHD (Nunisa), DHD (J), KLNLF,
UPDS and ANVC, besides ULFA [United Liberation Front of Asom]."
-
August 24: The ANVC claimed that
the outfit's designated camps are in serious crisis due to non-availability
of funds for several months. The ANVC submitted a letter to Chief
Minister Mukul Sangma through West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner
Sanjay Goyal to intervene in the matter. "We have not received even
a single penny in the last 10 months from the Central Government
to maintain our camps…The fund flow was smooth when it was coming
directly from the Union Home Ministry," ANVC spokesperson Torik
Jangning Marak said.
-
July 22: A delegation of the Nongalbibra
Coal Merchants Association (NCMA) met the leaders of the ANVC to
clarify the recent reports about the outfit's alleged involvement
in connection with the ongoing coal export trade and agreed that
it was blown out of proportion, according to Shillong Times. Leaders
of the NCMA, led by its president Kennedy Marak and general secretary
Willibirth R. Sangma along with other office bearers called on ANVC
'publicity secretary' Arist Sengsrang N. Sangma at Williamnagar
in East Garo Hills District and stated that the recent statement
by the NCMA against the ANVC was created by a section of vested
interest groups that were bent on creating a rift and trouble in
the Garo Hills. The ANVC leader on his part reiterated that the
organisation stood for the well being of the people of Garo Hills.
-
July 8: A delegation
of the ANVC met Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and submitted
a memorandum including the key demand for creation of a Garoland
Territorial Council on the lines of the Bodoland Territorial Council
in Assam. ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "The talks
are going in the right direction and we are hopeful of an early
solution to our demands."
-
June 30: The ANVC asked for indefinite
extension of ceasefire agreement with the Union Government. The
ceasefire term between the Government and the outfit expires after
a three-month extension in March 2010.
The Union Government extended the
tripartite cease-fire agreement with the Achik National Volunteer
Council (ANVC) for another three months. "It has been agreed that
the SoO [Suspension of Operation] with ANVC which was expired today
would be extended for a further period of three months from tomorrow,"
an official statement issued on June 30 said. The discussions on
the demands of ANVC are on at the level of P.C. Halder, the interlocutor
for peace talks with the outfit, the statement added.
-
June 29: Shillong Times reports
that the ANVC has started shifting its cadres to "undisclosed camps".
ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "The Government has
not given us any clear indication on the extension of the truce
and so we have shifted our cadres to undisclosed camps for their
security." Admitting that they have got positive signal from the
Centre for the extension of the truce, Marak said, "We are waiting
for the recommendation of the State Government and will soon meet
the Government." The ceasefire would expire on June 30. The report
adds that there are around 175 cadres of the ANVC in outfit''s camps
in different places of Garo Hills.
-
June 22: The ANVC claimed that the
outfit’s cease-fire with both the Centre and the State was for an
indefinite period and not for the three months agreed upon on March
23 in New Delhi.
-
June 6: Sentinel reports
that 13 militant organizations from the Northeast States of Assam,
Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya figure in the list of banned organizations
as it appears in the website of the Union Home Ministry (MHA). The
ULFA heads the list. The other outfits were: NDFB, People's Liberation
Army (PLA), and United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's
Revolutionary party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kangleipak Communist
Party (KCP), Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL), Manipur People's Liberation
Front (MPLF), Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), All Tripura Tiger
Force (ATTF), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) Hynniewtrep
National Liberation Council (HNLC) and ANVC.
Hardly 20 days left for expiry of
the cease-fire agreement between the ANVC and the Union Government,
the insurgent outfit said it would prefer short-term extension of
the agreement. ANVC spokesperson Torik Jangning Marak said, "We
are likely to seek three months extension of the ceasefire agreement."
The report adds that the next meeting between the ANVC and the Centre’s
interlocutor P.C. Haldar would be held in June 2010.
-
May 31: The ANVC submitted a 12-page
memorandum to the Union Government, spelling out the details of
its demand for setting up a Garo Autonomous Council.
-
May 26: Meghalaya Chief Minister
Mukul Sangma met Center’s interlocutor P. C. Haldar. After the meeting,
the Chief Minster said the State Government is still examining various
demands of the ANVC including creation of a separate Garoland autonomous
council. The report adds that the cease-fire agreement between the
group and the Government was extended for another three months in
March 2010 and the Garo group also had a meeting with Haldar in
Shillong on March 16 to discuss their different demands. The outfit
earlier had also threatened to break the tripartite cease-fire agreement
with the Centre, if the latter fails to fulfill their various demands.
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April 30: Police sources reports
that ANVC is currently divided into three groups. Police said that
the first major group belongs to those cadres whose primary interest
is to be rich by means of extortion. "Most of the cadres belonging
to this group have already associated themselves with the new militant
outfit GNLA [Garo National Liberation Army] led by Meghalaya Police
'DSP' Champion R. Marak," Police sources said on April 30. The GNLA
has been under the Police scanner for serving extortion notes, ranging
from INR 500, 000 to ten million , to petrol pump owners, coal dealers
and businessmen in the coal-rich Districts of Garo Hills. Police
sources said the second group includes mostly the top leaders, who
are involved in peace talks with the Government. "These top leaders
of the ANVC are also living lavish lifestyle," Police sources added.
On the other hand, the third group with a very few numbers includes
those who wanted to return to the mainstream. "Most of them are
ANVC members for namesake only. They are fed up with the outfit's
activities," Police sources said.
Meghalaya Governor R. S. Mooshahary
earlier stated that "ANVC is losing its strength and credibility."
-
April 5: ANVC asked the Meghalaya Police
to set up a cell to monitor the movement of deserters who have joined
other militant groups and are allegedly engaging in extortion.
-
March 28: Pakchara R. Sangma, a
'Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)' of the Meghalaya Police,
who remained missing for the last many months, issued a press statement
'confirming' himself as the 'chairman' of the GNLA outfit and threatened
to take on the ANVC, accusing its of 'harassing' the weaker sections
of the Garo society.
-
March 22: The meeting of the Joint
Monitoring Group (JMG) on extension of cease-fire with the Meghalaya
based ANVC was held in New Delhi. The Centre extended the cease-fire
with the ANVC by three months. "A revised ceasefire agreement was
signed by ANVC at the meeting of Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Group
held in New Delhi," an official source said. Sources said ANVC assured
"to adhere to the ceasefire ground rules and have better control
on the camps and the cadre".
-
March 19: The Meghalaya Governor
R. S. Mooshahary expressed concern over mushrooming of militant
groups in Garo hills and the activities of Assam-based outfits along
the border. The Governor said that recent developments, such as
reports on the formation of militant groups in Garo hills, were
a cause of concern. Other militant groups active in Garo hills are
LAEF, People's Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M), Achik National
Security Defence (ANSD), Atong Liberation Army (ALA), and United
Achik National Front (UANF). ULFA and NDFB are also active in Garo
hills and border of Ri Bhoi District. The Governor said that the
Government was committed to contain militancy at all costs. The
Governor added that the security establishment of the State has
acted swiftly to break up and contain the activities of the Hynniewtrep
Liberation Front (HLF) in Khasi hills, and LAEF in the Garo hills.
He said the activities of the local militant organisations like
the HNLC and ANVC have been substantially controlled.
-
March 18: A senior Police Officer
of Meghalaya in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
joined the GNLA, the newly formed militant outfit in Garo Hills.
According to sources, DSP Champion R. Marak recently joined the
outfit after he had gone missing for quite sometime. He joined the
Police Force in 2004 and belonged to Songsak region of East Garo
Hills. The report adds that GNLA is being led by the DSP Champion
Marak while former ANVC ‘area commander’ of East Garo Hills, Sohan
D. Shira, is believed to be the ‘commander in chief’. The group
is also said to be in close ties with the NSCN-IM and presently
has 20 well-armed cadres who have recently served extortion notes
demanding huge amounts of ransom in East and South Garo Hills. The
group is also trying to wean away many of the disgruntled ANVC cadres
who are annoyed with their leadership over the handling of the ongoing
peace process.
-
March 17: The Centre has expressed
concern over violation of conditions of the cease-fire with the
ANVC. Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, who called on Union
Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New Delhi, apprised him of the outcome
of March 16 talks between the ANVC and Centre's interlocutor P C
Haldar. Chidambaram told the Chief Minister that there had been
instances of violation of conditions of the suspension of operation
(SoO). But at the same time the Centre would like to continue the
SoO with the outfit, he said. Chidambaram assured that all necessary
steps would be taken by the Centre to maintain peace and tranquillity
in Meghalaya. The Home Minister asked Lapang to assess the ground
realities and suggest suitable measures for the successful culmination
of the peace process.
The ANVC said that the group would
seek public opinion whether the group would go for periodic cease-fire
or indefinite cease-fire.
-
March 16: The ANVC, after meeting
the Centre's interlocutor P.C. Haldar in Shillong, withdrew the
threat of pulling out from the cease-fire agreement and agreed to
Centre's proposal for periodic agreement with a validity of three
months. After the talks, ANVC ''spokesperson'' Torik Jangning Marak
said the outfit would not pull out from the ceasefire as "it would
affect the prevailing peaceful atmosphere of Garo Hills". "ANVC
is not pulling out from the agreement yet we are not happy about
as it was a unilateral decision which was taken in the last meeting
to have periodic ceasefire," he said. Meanwhile, Telegraph reports
that the Centre decided to examine the ANVC's demand for an autonomous
body like a Garoland Territorial Council.
-
March 15: The ANVC agreed to sit
for peace talks with the Union Government in Shillong, capital of
Meghalaya. The ANVC ‘publicity secretary’ Arist Sangma said they
had agreed to come to Shillong for the talks with the Centre''s
interlocutor P. C. Haldar following a request from the Meghalaya
Government.
-
March 14: The ANVC asked for holding
the peace talks at Tura in West Garo Hills District
instead of capital Shillong. "We have received a letter from
the government that the talks with Haldar will be held
in Shillong, but we want the meeting to be held in Tura,"
the ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma said. "As our
demands are concerning Garo Hills, the interlocutor should
come to Tura instead of Shillong to hold the
discussion," he explained. "There is a need to have a change in
the venue and we hope that the government will look into the matter," Sangma said.
-
March 13: The ANVC denied its involvement
in the abduction of a coal trader Nokma Chongrin Marak of Garo Hills
and instead accused the GNLA outfit of attempting to derail the
ongoing peace process. The ANVC ‘spokesperson’ and ‘chief organising
secretary’ Torik Jangning Marak said, "We are in the negotiating
table for the last 6 years having shunned the path of violence with
a positive attitude and opting for a permanent solution. The allegation
(by GNLA) is a desperate attempt to derail the peace process." "ANVC
chairman Dilash Marak has no hand in the abduction of Nokma Chongrin
Marak and most of the extortions and demand notes are being served
by the new outfit (GNLA). Soon we will send representatives to the
government for a joint operation in Garo Hills," Torik Jangning
Marak said.
-
March 11: Meghalaya Deputy Chief
Minister Mukul Sangma asked Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to
initiate all steps for peace and development of the Garo Hill Districts
for a logical conclusion of the tripartite accord with the ANVC.
After meeting Chidambaram, the Deputy Chief Minister said following
the suspension of operations against the militants way back in July
2004, there was an overall improvement of law-and-order situation
in the region. "But there is confusion and uncertainties in Garo
Hill due to the indication of expiry of the ‘suspension of operation’
(SoO) on March 31 by the Home Ministry," he pointed out.
-
March 8: The
ANVC said that it would seek a plebiscite on whether to continue
with the tripartite peace talks, after the Centre took an ‘arbitrary’
decision to extend the cease-fire only periodically.
-
March 7: A three-day conclave of
the ANVC concluded at Balonggre, in the outskirts of Tura town in
West Garo Hills District. The conclave was attended by a conglomerate
of Non Governmental Organisations, student and social organizations,
church elders, senior citizens, public representatives from Assam
and political activists from Meghalaya to discuss ways to push forward
the tripartite peace talks. The people who attended the conclave
expressed apprehension over the last Joint Monitoring Group (JMG)
meet between the ANVC, Meghalaya Government and Union Government
at Tura in which the central delegation was in favour of a periodical
cease-fire extension in place of an indefinite one citing violation
of ground rules. In the JMG meeting, the Government delegation had
accused the ANVC of giving its support to a new militant group-
Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and engaging in sporadic extortion,
an accusation the outfit denied. The ANVC, on the other hand, has
expressed disappointment that its charter of demands with its main
focus of creating a Garoland Territorial Council has not been seriously
considered which, according to the group, is a ‘benign’ and ‘reasonable’
demand within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
-
February 23: The Union Government modified
the previous decision of indefinite cease-fire extension with the
ANVC to that of periodical extensions in a Joint Monitoring Group
(JMG) meeting at Tura.
-
February 7: Meghalaya Chief Minister
D.D. Lapang in the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security
asked the Centre to go for a tripartite political and development
accord with the ANVC to bring the ongoing peace process to a logical
conclusion. He also stated that insurgent outfits like ULFA, National
Socialist Council of Nagaland, NDFB and UPDS are not only supporting
groups like LAEF, but also providing them arms, ammunition and training.
He said that insurgent outfits both from the Northeast and adjoining
Bangladesh were also using the peaceful State of Meghalaya both
as temporary sanctuary and corridor. Lapang further claimed that
both ANVC and HNLC have been largely neutralised with a sustained
Police operation. But passive militancy is still a cause for concern,
he further added.
-
January 3: The ANVC accuses the
Union Government of delaying discussion on its demand for constitution
of a separate Garoland Autonomous Council (GAC), a self-governing
body for the Garo Hills. The ANVC ‘publicity secretary’ Arist Sengsrang
Sangma said, "We have come down from our demand for a separate
Garoland and now the Centre should initiate discussion to facilitate
the creation of the council."
2009
-
December 11: The ANVC outfit states
that its fight for a separate Garoland would gain momentum with
the Centre initiating the process for the creation of Telangana.
The outfit’s ‘publicity secretary’, Arist Sangma, said with the
Centre taking steps to create a Telangana State, the outfit’s demand
would also be justified in the days to come. "Our demand is very
much genuine and we are not asking for the sun or moon, but a separate
state within India unlike other militant groups, which are demanding
sovereignty," Sangma said.
-
September 29: Meghalaya Police has
reportedly sought the help of the ANVC to neutralise other militant
groups in the Garo Hills. The ANVC leader Arist Sangma said that
the outfit was ready to help the Meghalaya Police.
-
September 14: The ANVC demanded
an autonomous status for the Garo hills with "less or no interference"
from the Meghalaya Government. The 'publicity secretary' of the
ANVC, Arist Sengsrang Sangma, suggested the creation of an autonomous
body like "Garoland Territorial Council" which can govern itself
without any interference from the State Government. According to
Sangma, the idea of formation of a "Garoland Territorial Council"
for Garo hills, in line with the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC),
was welcome, but there should be less interference from the State
Government and more autonomy to the body, unlike the BTC. "We are
yet to suggest any name for the autonomous body, which can politically
safeguard the interests of the people of Garo hills with more powers,
wider functions and without the interference of the state government,"
Sangma said. "By autonomy to Garo hills, we do not mean the one
prevailing in the existing Garo Hills Autonomous District Council,
which is still under the direct supervision of the state government,"
he added. He also said that once autonomy for Garo hills was realised,
the militant group would demand direct funding from the Centre,
unlike the present District Councils in the State which get funds
from the State Government. Responding to a suggestion made by the
Joint Secretary (in charge of Northeast) of the Union Ministry of
Home Affairs to abandon the outfit's demand for a separate State,
Sangma said that though there was no change of stand on the statehood
demand, the outfit was open to talks for the autonomous status to
Garo hills. "The joint secretary, home, in charge of Northeast,
told us that the Centre does not want to divide the Northeast further,"
he adds. To some extent, the ANVC agreed to this, but the militant
group would negotiate with the Centre on what arrangement it would
provide to the Garo hills for the outfit to give up its demand for
a separate Garo State, he mentioned.
-
September 10: The Centre is reported
to have rejected a demand for a separate Garo State by the ANVC,
when the Joint Secretary (in-charge of Northeast) of the Union Ministry
of Home Affairs, Naveen Verma, held a series of meetings with senior
State Government officials and discussed a rehabilitation package
for the ANVC. Verma is understood to have made it clear that if
the ANVC wants a rehabilitation package, it has to leave aside its
demand for Garoland, a separate State comprising three Districts
of Garo Hills region in Meghalaya. The Centre has asked the group
to furnish a fresh list of demands concerning rehabilitation of
its cadres. The Centre has also asked the State Government to monitor
whether the insurgent group was adhering to the cease-fire ground
rules.
2008
-
December 3: Shillong Times
quoting police source reports that the ANVC is carrying out an extortion
drive with support from the NSCN-IM in the coal belt areas of West
Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills. According to police sources, the
activities of ANVC and NSCN-IM are at their peak during the winter
season as this is the period when a large quantity of coal is exported
to Bangladesh resulting in a huge business transaction. "The ANVC
and NSCN (IM) equally share the extorted amount," police sources
state.
-
November 23: Meghalaya Police said
that the newly formed militant outfits, the Atong Liberation Army
(ALA) in South Garo Hills, and Achik National Security Defence (ANSD)
in West Khasi Hills, are being used by the NSCN-IM and ANVC for
carrying out an extortion drive in coal belt areas. Police sources
said the ALA and ANSD were extorting money from coal-laden trucks
and coal exporters in West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills. "We
have already started our operations to destroy these two militant
outfits before they could manage to make their presence felt in
the State," sources said.
-
October 17: Police recover explosives,
a camera, CDs and incriminating documents, including demand notes,
belonging to ANVC from a rented house at Chinengree village near
Shahlang in the West Khasi Hills district. The documents recovered
from the house indicate that money was extorted by the outfit from
various parts of the district. The ANVC cadres, however, manage
to escape from the incident site.
-
July 23 The Union Government extends
the cease-fire with the ANVC for an indefinite period for the first
time, unlike the earlier periodical review of the cease-fire with
the militant group.
-
May 29: Surrendered ANVC cadres asked
the Meghalaya Government to provide them with recruitment in 5th
India Reserve Battalion and monetary assistance. They also alleged
that the former State Government did not have the commitment to
rehabilitate all surrendered insurgents. They say that the previous
D.D. Lapang-led Government had given "more importance" to the Shillong-based
former cadre of the HNLC than those from the Garo Hills. The former
ANVC cadres have sought Government jobs for at least 25 of them
and financial assistance for the others to start their own entrepreneurship.
-
May 28: The LAEF's
new 'commander-in-chief' Daria Sangma, while speaking to the media
over phone, reconfirms the Meghalaya Police’s claim that the LAEF
has forged ties with the Assam-based Black Widow (BW) outfit. He
said that it was in the interest of consolidating LAEF to pursue
its goal of a ‘separate Garo state’. The report added that a group
of five LAEF cadres recently returned from arms training organised
by the BW in Assam. Daria also said the Garo outfit had recently
held a general council meeting in the West Khasi Hills in which
he was appointed the new ‘army chief’ in the presence of LAEF ‘chairman’
Darong T. Marak who, according to police, had been killed by his
own colleagues long ago. The LAEF general council meeting is said
to have also appointed one Khanam D. Shira as ‘general secretary’
of the outfit, besides a former ANVC cadre Nikseng Sangma holding
an important portfolio within the group. Nikseng had deserted the
ANVC and joined with former ANVC 'eastern area commander' Sohan
D. Shira to help the LAEF during the early days of its formation.
Following the killing of the then ‘chairman’ Peter Marak in the
hands of police and subsequent surrender of Sohan before the government,
Nikseng reportedly fled into the LAEF stronghold of West Khasi Hills.
Daria also says tells the media that the general council meeting
had taken up several resolutions one of which was to turn ‘pro-active’
in its operations against certain organisations aligning with the
government to wipe out the outfit.
-
April 7: One ANVC militant, Amjad
A. Sangma, is arrested by the Meghalaya Police during a search operation
at Williamnagar in the East Garo Hills district. One 9-mm pistol
was recovered from his possession.
-
February 29: The Congress party
candidate Mukul Sangma complained to the Returning Officer that
the ANVC and police are aiding the National Congress Party candidates
from Ampati constituency in the Garo Hills. Mukul said that ANVC
cadres led by Ronald Sangma threatened people and Amapati police
station officer in-charge A.M. Sangma had taken no cognizance of
the offence. He mentioned that his supporters were also assaulted.
-
February 28: The ANVC said that
it will remain neutral in the Legislative Assembly elections scheduled
to be held on March 3, 2008. In a letter signed by 'chairman' Dilash
Marak alias S. M. Marak, the outfit stated: "Rumours will always
be there and the ANVC respect and recognise the people's 'Right'
to choose their own representatives and shall remain neutral as
far as the 2008 assembly elections are concerned."
-
January 20: One ANVC cadre, Dorang
G. Momin, is arrested by the Meghalaya police personnel when they
neutralise a hideout at Tarajak village in the West Khasi Hills
district. However, 10 militants, including two persons belonging
to the Naga community, managed to escape from the incident site.
An AK-47 rifle and an M-16 rifle, other arms and ammunition are
recovered from the hideout.
2007
-
December 12: The Joint Monitoring
Committee meeting of the representatives of the ANVC, Meghalaya
Government and Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was held in
the national capital New Delhi. The meeting expressed concern over
the reported extortion being carried out by the outfit and stressed
the need to strictly adhere to ground rules of the cease-fire agreement
signed on July 23, 2004.
-
November 22: Shillong Times reports
that the ‘organising secretary’ of the ANVC, identified as Bernard
N. Marak alias Torik Jangnang, is released. On August 17, he was
arrested for his involvement in extortion at Tura market in the
West Garo Hills district, and was later lodged in the Jowai jail
under the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act for almost three months.
-
September 9: An unidentified civilian
is shot dead by suspected militants at Chachatgre in the East Garo
Hills district. He was reportedly working as a domestic help of
Sohan D. Shira, a surrendered ANVC leader.
-
September 6: One Achik National
Liberation Front Army militant, Nabat Marak, is shot dead by suspected
ANVC militants at Chidimit village near Songsak in the East Garo
Hills district. Meghalaya Police stated that ANVC militants after
killing Marak buried his body at the village. He reportedly deserted
the ANVC in 2005 and later joined the Achik National Liberation
Front Army outfit.
-
August 25: A self-styled 'area commander'
of the ANVC, identified as Sohan D. Shira, surrenders in an unspecified
place in Meghalaya.
-
August 17: The organising secretary
of the ANVC, Bernard Marak, is arrested from Tura in the West Garo
Hills district on charges of extortion. Police said several complaints
had been lodged against Marak, also known as Torik Jangang, by the
truckers. Three of his associates arrested on August 16 had also
confessed to their involvement in the racket. They had been collecting
INR 20 each from each truck plying in Tura posing themselves as
members of the truckers' association. Marak was also manning the
liaison office of the militant group at Tura.
-
May 23: The Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Tribunal extended the ban on the ANVC and HNLC for
two more years due to their continued anti-national and anti-social
activities. The new order will remain in force till May 15, 2009.
-
April 14: The two-day meeting of
the Tribunal to look into the proscription on the HNLC and ANVC
concluded. Official sources said that there was no representation
from the HNLC and only the ANVC contested the case aiming at lifting
the proscription.
-
January 17: An ANVC cadre, Onkang
Sangma, who had deserted the camp at Chokpot in the South Garo Hills
district in 2006, surrenders at Williamnagar in the East Garo Hills
district.
2006
-
November 9: The Union Government
extends the proscription on ANVC.
-
October 25: The ANVC fails to respond
to the appeal made by Meghalya Chief Minister, J. D. Rymbai, and
Home Minister, R. G. Lyngdoh, to lay down arms, before the State
Government could convince the Union Government to lift the ban imposed
on the outfit, indicates report.
-
September 28: The ANVC decides to
discuss with the Meghalaya Government the conditions of disarmament
for lifting the ban on the outfit. "We will have to discuss the
matter before taking any decision in this regard," said ‘publicity
secretary’ Arist Sangma.
-
September 11: The newly formed Garo
outfit, Achik National Liberation Front Army (ANLFA), allegedly
accuse the Meghalaya Government of being soft on the ANVC, which
is currently under a cease-fire with the Union and State Governments.
The ANLFA alleges that the State Government is turning a blind eye
to the ‘atrocities’ committed by the ANVC cadres in Garo Hills.
-
August 31: The self-styled ‘chairman’
of the ANVC, Dilash Marak, figures in the list of wanted militants,
residing in Bangladesh, handed over by the Border Security Force
(BSF) to the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) during their meeting in Shillong.
-
August 31: Two political parties,
the Hill State People's Democratic Party from Khasi Hills and Garo
National Council from Garo Hills, at a joint statement demand the
creation of separate provinces for the two major tribes of the State.
Both the parties are opposed to the idea of ‘Greater Garoland’ demanded
by the ANVC. However, the ANVC criticizes the joint proclamation
of the two parties as a "political propaganda".
-
August 28: The ANVC states that it has discussed the issue of Garo
Hills with the Union Government in New Delhi in July 2006. The ‘publicity
secretary’ of the outfit, Arist Sangma, said, "We submitted our
memorandum and said separate Garoland was our demand."
-
August 8: Meghalaya Government starts
the Disaster Awareness and Search & Rescue Traning programme for
ANVC cadres at Tura in the West Garo Hills district.
-
July 11:The cease-fire agreement between
the Government and ANVC is extended by one more year. An agreement
to this effect is reached during the Joint Monitoring Group held
in New Delhi on an unspecified day. The ANVC entered into a tripartite
cease-fire agreement on July 23, 2004.
-
May 30: Meghalaya Home Minister H.
Donkupar R Lyngdoh, while responding negatively on the request of
the ANVC to the Union Government to lift the ban imposed on it,
says, "Let people be satisfied with their non-violence and
peaceful existence." "No doubt, the illegal activities
of the ANVC has reduced to a great extent; but until people are
satisfied, the ban should continue," adds the Home Minister.
-
May 28: The ANVC asks the Union Government
to withdraw its ban on the outfit to facilitate peace talks.
-
May 10: The ANVC, while criticizing
other Garo outfits such as the ANLF and United UANF, terms them
as "group of extortionists and dacoits who have no ideology
or principle." "Both UANF and ANLF are only after money
and they are not fighting for the cause of the people of Garo Hills,"
said ANVC 'publicity secretary' Arist Sengsrang Sangma. "We
are fighting for a separate state and our demand is very much within
the framework of the Indian constitution while the so called UANF
has claimed that the organisation is fighting for independence which
is not at all acceptable both to the government of India and the
Garos as well," he added.
-
May 1: Chief Minister D. D. Lapang,
while expressing the State Government’s willingness to hold
talks with the militant outfits, says, "But we have no say
on the issues, which are totally depended on the initiative of the
Union Home Ministry." He further adds, "We have to patiently
wait and see things to happen because whatever steps that have been
followed with the ANVC, the same thing will be done with HNLC."
- April 7: An ANVC cadre is killed by
three of his colleagues at Tura in the West Garo Hills district.
-
April 5: The JMG meeting held at the
BSF premises in Guwahati decides to conduct a joint survey for setting
up a designated camp for the ANVC cadres in the South Garo Hills
of Meghalaya by the end of April 2006. The existing camp at Jetra
in the Ri Bhoi district will be dismantled following complaints
from paramilitary forces.
-
March 27: Meghalaya Chief Minister
D.D. Lapang, while responding to the issue of negotiations with
militant outfits, informs the Legislative Assembly that a "Joint
Monitoring Group (JMG) has been formed to monitor the cease-fire
with the ANVC. The next JMG meeting will be held on April 5 in Guwahati,
said, while adding that, “We are thinking of adopting similar pattern
as the first step to initiate dialogue with HNLC.”
-
March 24: The ANVC calls for the formation
of a separate state known as the 'Garoland State' for the Garos
in Meghalaya. The 'publicity secretary' of the outfit, Arist Sengsrang
Sangma, says that it is high time for all Garos to come under one
umbrella and demand a separate state.
2005
-
December 14: Union Minister of State
for Home Affairs, S. Reghupathy, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha
(Upper House of Parliament), says that cease fire and suspension
of operations is on with ANVC along with certain other militant
outfits of the North East.
-
November 16: Police kills Tiko Areng,
a militant belonging to the ANLF, a splinter faction of the ANVC
at Dongranggre near Shallang in the West Khasi Hills district. One
9mm pistol and a grenade are recovered from the incident site.
-
November 9: ANVC 'publicity secretary',
Arist Sengsrang Sangma, says, "We have told the cadres that those
who are willing to leave can do so without deserting or running
away from the camps." Commenting on reports that some former ANVC
cadres have formed a new outfit, the ANLF, he says, "We will try
to neutralise ANLF with the police, otherwise there will be law
and order problem in Garo Hills." He further says that the relation
between the police and the ANVC has improved considerably over the
past few months.
-
November 6: Two ANVC cadres, M. Marak
and N. Momin, who have escaped from the Chokpot cease-fire camp,
are killed by a joint team of Meghalaya Police and the army near
Thapha in the East Garo Hills district. Three Chinese-made hand
grenades and three rounds of AK-47 ammunition, besides documents
such as extortion notes and money receipts are recovered from the
incident site.
-
November 4: Meghalaya Police kills
two hardcore ANVC cadres, Rarik Sangma and Rabi Marak, and arrests
two others at Bangsiminol under Mendipather police station in the
Garo Hills district. Police sources informed that the slain militants
are part of a group of nine ANVC cadres who have deserted the outfit's
camp at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Chokpot in South Garo Hills
and have made attempts to form a new outfit, the AN LF. Police also
recover an AK-56 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition, three hand
grenades and an SLR with 17 rounds of live ammunition from the incident
site.
-
September 4: ANVC threatens to call
off the cease-fire agreement with the State Government protesting
against the latter's constant allegation of truce violation by the
outfit. The outfit's 'Publicity Secretary' Arist Sangma said, "We
express concern over the state government's often repeated statement
that the ANVC is engaged in extortions… If the government continues
with its wild allegations, we will be forced to go back to the jungle."
-
July 18: The cease-fire between ANVC
and the Union Government is extended for a year with effect from
July 23, 2005. The decision is taken following a meeting between
the ANVC leaders and MHA officials at Patgaon in the Guwahati city
of Assam. The ANVC is asked to submit names of its cadres taking
shelter in the two designated camps in East and South Garo Hills
to the Union Government and also keep its arms and ammunition in
safe custody.
-
July 6: Meghalaya Government sends
a note to the Union Government detailing the acts of cease-fire
violation by the ANVC. Chief Secretary P. J. Bazeley said that the
State Government would agree to extend the cease-fire agreement
beyond July 23 provided the truce ground rules are framed and strictly
adhered to. He says, "We have told the Centre that we will not be
a party to the cease-fire with the ANVC if there are no proper ground
rules."
-
May 11: Two ANVC cadres, Ganesh Sangma
and Nicholas Sangma, and one of their associates are arrested from
Borsora in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
-
April 19: Meghalaya Chief Minister,
D D Lapang, while addressing a press conference in Shillong, said
the ANVC is violating the cease-fire agreement.
-
April 14: Meghalaya Home Minister,
Mukul Sangma, says that failure to settle issues relating to the
cease-fire ground rules have led to the delay in starting the peace
process with the proscribed ANVC.
-
March 30: A tribunal makes recommendations
for the extension of the proscription on the HNLC and ANVC for another
year.
-
March 8: Meghalaya Home Minister, Mukul
Sangma, says that the State Government will begin peace talks with
the ANVC only after the outfit adheres to the principles of the
cease-fire.
-
January 17: The ceasefire agreement
between the Government and the ANVC is extended by six months. The
agreement is reached during the JMG meeting held at Tura in the
West Garo Hills district. The duration of the present ceasefire
is set to expire on January 23.
2004
-
December 23: As a first step towards
fulfilling the cease-fire ground rules, the ANVC submits a list
of 100 of its cadres to the State Government. Informing this in
Shillong, the State Home Minister, H.D.R. Lyngdoh, says that these
cadres will be accommodated in the two designated camps. However,
the outfit is yet to submit the list of arms and ammunition, adds
Lyngdoh.
-
December 22: Union Government extends
the ban on two militant outfits of Meghalaya, the ANVC and HNLC.
In an official notification in Shillong, the MHA cites the reasons
for extension stating that although the ANVC agrees to abjure violence
and expresses willingness for talks within the framework of Constitution,
it continues "collection of funds and extortion, acquisition of
sophisticated weapons and recruitment of new cadre."
-
December 10: Meghalaya Government asks
the ANVC chairman Dilash Marak and 'commander-in-chief' Jerome Momin
to confine themselves to the Garo Hills area.
-
December 9: The JMG meeting between
the banned ANVC and the representatives of the MHA and the Meghalaya
Government takes place in New Delhi to discuss the 'ground rules'.
Following the second round of the tripartite talks of JMG, the ANVC
agrees to submit the full list of its cadres to the State Government
by December 20 to facilitate the implementation of cease-fire ground
rules. The cadres will stay in two designated camps in the Garo
Hills region.
-
July 23: ANVC signs a tripartite agreement
with the Union and Meghalaya Governments for immediate suspension
of hostilities. The agreement is signed by the Secretary, Border
Management in the MHA, A.K.Rastogi, Chief Secretary of Meghalaya,
P.J. Bazely, and representatives of the ANVC led by its 'General
Secretary' Wanding K Marak.
-
July 2: The abducted Indian Forest
Service official, D Sathyen, is released unharmed in the South Garo
Hills district of Meghalaya after about a fortnight amidst claims
by the State Government that no ransom was paid to the abductors.
-
June 24: ANVC denies any links to the
abduction of D. Sathiyan, Indian Forest Service officer posted at
the Balpakram National Park. The outfit's 'publicity secretary',
Arist Sengsrang Sangma, says that the outfit does not have any connection
with the incident.
-
June 22: ANVC demands Rupees 15 lakh
as ransom for the release of abducted D. Satyan.
-
June 18: Suspected ANVC terrorists
abduct Forest Officer, D. Satyan, from his house at Baghmara in
South Garo Hills district.
-
June 1: Suspected ANVC terrorists shot
dead a trader from Tura in Meghalaya for failing to pay extortion
money demanded by them.
-
June 1: Suspected ANVC terrorists kill
a trader from Tura in the West Garo Hill district.
-
May 6: Meghalaya Police arrests an
ANVC terrorist, involved in truck burning incidents at Borsora on
April 28, from Nonghyllam in the West Khasi Hills district.
-
March 16: One ANVC terrorist is killed
in an encounter with the security forces at Kajinagar in the West
Garo Hills district.
-
February 20: Suspected ANVC cadres
release Borsora Land Custom Station Superintendent, L.H. Faihrem,
from captivity at Tila Basti in the East Khasi Hills district. He
was abducted on October 9, 2003.
-
February 6: Meghalaya Chief Minister,
D D Lapang, accuses former Lok Sabha Speaker and Nationalist Congress
Party (NCP) leader P A Sangma of conniving with the proscribed ANVC
to remain in State politics.
2003
-
December 15: A woman ANVC cadre, identified
as Tresy Sangma, wife of the Mendipather 'area commander' of the
outfit, is arrested near Mendipather in the East Garo Hills district.
-
November 16: Meghalaya Police arrest
a self-styled corporal of the ANVC, identified as Havel Sangma,
from Bologgitok village in the West Garo Hills district and recover
a Japanese wireless hand-set and a tape recorder from his possession.
-
November 10: Suspected ANVC terrorists
kill three civilians at Rajapal in the East Garo Hills district.
-
October 28: ANVC 'commander-in-chief'
Jerome Momin indicates that the outfit "would continue its struggle
for a greater Garoland and not give in to any moves initiated by
the government towards a reconciliation."
-
October 1: Two Achik National Volunteer
Council (ANVC) terrorists surrender before the police in Shillong,
and at Baghmara in South Garo Hills respectively.
-
September 30: ANVC decides not to participate
in the Meghalaya Government backed peace talks with the Garo Baptist
Convention (GPC) after the September 26 incident.
-
September 26: Security force personnel
kill eight ANVC terrorists in two separate encounters in the West
Garo Hills district and recover one AK-56 rifle with twelve rounds
of live ammunition, one Pakistan-made.32 pistol with seven rounds
of ammunition, two Chinese hand grenades and some incriminating
documents from the encounter site.
-
September 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister
Lapang offers truce to the ANVC and HNLC.
-
September 10: ANVC terrorists in Meghalaya
release abducted Bajengdoba SBI Branch Manager after nine days of
captivity.
-
August 7: An ANVC sympathizer alleged
to be involved in supplying arms to the outfit is killed during
an encounter at Rewak in the South Garo Hills district.
-
July 16: Two ANVC terrorists, including
a ‘commander’, are killed during an encounter at Bikonggre village
in the West Garo Hills district while three others escape from the
incident site.
-
June 27: Meghalaya Police arrests former
State Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader
Adolf Lu Hitler Marak at Laban in Shillong for his alleged links
with the ANVC.
-
May 15: Four ANVC terrorists are arrested
from a hideout at Ampati in the West Garo Hills district.
-
May 4: Meghalaya Police unearths an
ANVC ‘finance cell’ at Asimggre village in West Garo Hills district
and seizes incriminating documents indicating to an extortion racket
being run by the outfit in the area.
-
May 01: Suspected ANVC cadres abduct
two persons from Balachand, West Garo Hills district.
-
April 29: Three ANVC terrorists, including
an ‘area commander’, surrender before the State police at Sonapahar
village in West Khasi Hills district with two AK-56 rifles, two
wireless sets, four grenades and 216 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
-
April 2: Four suspected ANVC terrorists,
including a woman cadre, abduct a businessman at Ampati, West Garo
Hills district.
-
March 24: NDFB sets free the four remaining
coal exporters, following the escape of two other exporters from
its unidentified hideout in Meghalaya. ANVC and NDFB terrorists
abducted the six coal exporters and a customs official Dipak Mahanta
from Gasupara in South Garo Hills district on February 28.
A group of six ANVC terrorists
abduct two teachers of a local school at Katuligaon near Ampati in
the West Garo Hills district.
-
February 26: Security forces rescue
four abducted persons, including the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau
Assistant Director Deben Singh Rana at Damalgiri, Garobada police
post limits in Tura, West Garo Hills district.
ANVC terrorists abduct
a Government official at Bajengdoba in East Garo Hills district.
-
January 14: Suspected ANVC terrorists
kill three persons in Songsak, near Williamnagar, East Garo Hills
district, for allegedly using the outfit’s name to extort money
from local residents.
2002
-
December 12: A businessman abducted
from Nidhanpur, Assam, flees from an ANVC hideout despite being
hit by bullet in the leg.
-
December 9: Union Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) establishes contact with ANVC and confirms the possibility
peace talks in the future, most likely in Delhi in the year 2003.
-
December 1: Terrorist-attack on a passenger
bus in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, injures two passengers. The ANVC's
hand is suspected in the attack.
-
November 12: ANVC relates the 1996-Wakabua
raid to the rise of terrorism in Garo Hills. At the same time, the
outfit's southern command in-charge and publicity-wing head Sohan
D Shira says the September 9, 2002-killings of Deputy Superintendent
of Police Paichon Sangma and five others, near Chokpot, was in retaliation
to the Wakabua camp raid.
-
October 05: Meghalaya Chief Minister
F A Khonglam discloses he is in possession of certain evidence against
three Ministers from the Garo Hills region having nexus with the
proscribed ANVC terrorist outfit. He says they all belong to the
Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
-
September 24: An ANVC terrorist is
killed and another arrested by security forces (SF) in Dobu, East
Garo hills district, following a prolonged gun-battle between group
of five terrorists and a joint team of Police and Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF) personnel. Three more terrorists escape. A 9mm
carbine, 11 rounds of ammunition and a US-made carbine are recovered
from the clash-site.
-
September 9: Six Meghalaya police personnel,
including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), are killed in
an ambush laid by ANVC terrorists at Chocpot, in the Garo Hills
of Meghalaya.
-
July 1: An ANVC terrorist is killed
in an encounter with police near Dudhnoi in Assam. Five ANVC terrorists
surrender at the Mendipather police station in the presence of Church
leaders, in East Garo Hills.
-
June 30: Meghalaya Forest Minister
Monindra Rava's son, Devajyoti Rava, and four others are killed
by unidentified, armed-men at a place between Belguri and Abhiram
Para near Tikrikilla. Police suspect the ANVC's hand in the attack.
-
June 11: Two ANVC terrorists are killed
in an encounter at Amarsang village, near Kulung, under Borsora
police station limits, West Khasi Hills district. Two AK-47 rifles,
a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a Chinese rifle, two 12-bore guns and
a large quantity of ammunition are recovered from the site of the
encounter.
ANVC terrorists injured in an encounter in South Garo Hills. Police
recovered Rs 1,54,000 in cash from the clash-site.
-
May 12: Three Nepalese settlers are,
and seven more injured in an attack by the ANVC terrorist outfit
at the Tinali settlement near Phulbari in the West Garo Hills district
of Meghalaya.
-
April 1: ANVC terrorist killed in encounter
near Rangagre village under Tura police station limits.
-
March 14: Suspected ANVC terrorists
kill eight persons, including four policemen in West Garo Hills.
-
March 1: ANVC terrorists abduct a leading
businessman and a manager of a construction company from Chibinang,
West Garo Hills.
2001
1999
August: Two policemen killed
when suspected ANVC terrorists blow up two jeeps at Aniaga village in
the East Garo hills.
1998
October: Five security
force personnel killed and over Rs. 100,000 looted during an attack
in East Garo hills.
February: Two police personnel
killed and Rs. 800,000 looted in an ambush laid by ANVC terrorists,
the East Garo Hills.
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