Meghalaya govt likely to lift ban on ANVC

Shillong, Oct 13 (UNI) The Centre is likely to lift the ban on the A'chik National Volunteers Council operating in three districts of Garo Hills in Meghalaya.

Chief Minister J D Rymbai had expressed the state government's willingness to lift the ban provided the ANVC deposited all their weapons to the government.

Recently, ANVC ''Publicity Secretary'' Arist Sangma said his organisation would soon discuss with the state government the conditions of disarmament for lifting the ban on the outfit.

'' Yes, a meeting is slated to be held this month to finalise the lifting of the ban imposed on the ANVC, '' a senior government official told UNI here today.

The government was ready to lift the ban provided they were ready to deposit their weapons, the official said adding the ANVC was formed in December, 1995, with their aim to carve out a ''Greater Garoland'' and later proscribed the outfit on November 16, 2000.

On July 23, 2004, the proscribed outfit entered into a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the Central and Meghalaya governments for immediate suspension of hostilities.

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