Shun violence, join talks: Meghalaya govt to militants

, Mar 10: The

government has asked militant outfits active in the

region to come forward for talks, in an effort to end bloodshed and speed up development projects in the state.

"An open offer was made through the Governor's address to all militant outfits operating in the state to shun the path of violence and engage in a dialogue with the government," Home Minister Roshan Warjri informed the House during the ongoing Budget Session here.

Warjri was replying to a call attention motion raised by Opposition member Clifford R Marak specifically on the demand of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants to release their jailed chairman before initiating any talks.

She said the government was exploring "options" in finding out a more enduring and lasting solution to the problem of insurgency in the state.

Warjri claimed that the final settlement with the A'chik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC) in this connection was also at an advanced stage.

The minister further claimed that the GNLA, in an open statement, has suggested that it was ready to enter into talks necessary for the government to carry this process forward, she said, adding, that the state government was in consultation with the Centre in this connection.

PTI