ANVC says no control over ULFA in Garo Hills

Shillong, Jul 18 (UNI) Admitting that the outlawed ULFA was using Garo Hills as their hideout in Meghalaya, the banned A'chik National Volunteers Council in Meghalaya today said they have no control over ULFA activities since they were in cease-fire with the government.

''It's not only the ULFA, but there are many other organisations in Garo Hills,'' ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sengrang Sangma told UNI over telephone from Garo Hills.

The ULFA, which is trying to forge peace talks with New Delhi to resolve its two and half decade long demand for ''sunor Asom'', is still using Garo Hills in Meghalaya for two major purposes - cooling heels and corridor to Bangladesh.

''It fully depends on the government to evict them (ULFA),'' said Mr. Sangma, whose outfit is on a tripartite cease-fire with the Centre and the state government.

The ANVC publicity secretary also revealed that most of the ULFA cadres were taking shelter along Meghalaya's inter-state border with Asom adding that the Asom based militants were not rpt not disturbing the tribal Garo people.

However, when asked, the publicity secretary said, ''so far the public has not lodged any complaint to us against ULFA activities in Garo Hills. If they complain we will act against them (ULFA) also.'' In 2002, the ANVC had issued a quit notice to its close ally, the proscribed NDFB to leave Garo Hills following public outcry against its activities, Mr Sangma said.

The ULFA has been using Garo Hills as their 'store house' for dumping their weapons.

Earlier, State Director General of Police William Richmond Marbaniang told this correspondent that the state police always acts if there is any report of any militant presence in Garo Hills.

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