Conrad bats for extending rehabilitation package to surrendered rebels

From A Correspondent

SHILLONG, June 13: The tiol People’s Party (NPP) president and Tura MP Conrad K Sangma today urged the Meghalaya government to take steps for extending rehabilitation and fincial assistance to the cadres of surrendered militant outfits in Garo Hills region.

“Many cadres of militant organisations are surrendering. They are coming out and joining the mainstream. But it is also important that the government must provide them with a rehabilitation package if not it could boomerang,” Conrad told mediapersons here today.

Recently there were reports that surrendered militants have expressed concern over the delay in rehabilitating them.

On May 17, annoyed over the delay in peace settlement including the fincial package, a delegation comprising former chairman of ANVC, Dilash M. Marak and his adviser Saileng R. Marak submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister besides meeting the Union Home Ministry officials in Delhi.

The Tura MP also said that it was the responsibility of the Meghalaya government to take the right step so that it will give confidence to those who are still associated with the militant outfits.

Meanwhile, on the rejection of the state government not to hold dialogue with the proscribed Hynniewtrep tiol Liberation Council (HNLC), Conrad said that his party was of the opinion that talks should be held with the militant outfits.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma in the last week had said that there would be no more political dialogue with any militant outfit, but militants would be pursued to come overground.

“If we want to solve the issue we have to change the rules, keeping the objective (peace) in mind,” Conrad said.