UALA bargaining delays signing of the peace pact

OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, June 25: Bargaining tactics by the commander-in-chief of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) Norok Momin has delayed the formal signing of the peace pact with the State Government.

Well placed source told The Sentinel that there are two vital issues that are delaying the laying of arms by the outfit. One is the UALA c-in-c’s query on the pending cases against him and other cadres and the other is the rehabilitation packages after they come over ground.

Norok Momin is considered to be the mastermind of the Willimgar jail-break and the massacre of seven people in the Rabha-domited areas in North Garo Hills. He controls around 70 cadres who deserted the ANVC (B) before floating his own armed organization in 2012.

Source said that the UALA cadres will be rehabilitated as per Government of India guidelines, with no special treatment to be meted out to any of them besides adding that the law will take its own course on those involved in crimil activities.

The sources further added that while the fil process is on after the 12 senior members of the outfit led by Novembirth Marak displayed their willingness to enter into an unconditiol peace pact. However, it ruled out any development immediately. The UALA has disclosed its strength of members to be 72 but they have not factually divulged their weaponry, stated a source.