UALA wants to join mainstream, security agencies doubt

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, January 7: Even the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) has displayed its desire to join the main stream, the security agencies are not fully convinced till its unpredictable commander–in–chief (C–in–C) Norok Momin comes out in the open.

The first formal peace talks and the preceding informal deliberations between representatives of the State government and the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA), brokered by the Church body, did not feature Norok Momin. The UALA leadership, during the parleys, was headed its chairman Novembirth Marak.

While the UALA leadership claimed to have got the C–in–C’s sanction to negotiate with the government, a source involved in the prelimiry rounds of talks told The Sentinel: “We are keeping a close watch because Norok Momin is the man who calls the shot and he is an erratic persolity.”

“Although the UALA representatives have displayed their sincerity to unconditiolly lay down their arms during the talks held in December last, what if Norok Momin refused to subscribe to the outcome of the first informal talks?” said the source.

It may be mentioned that Momin is the mastermind of the killings of seven Rabha tribesmen in Assam’s Goalpara in 2013 and the killing of two jail officials in Williamgar in 2014. He is also suspected to be hiding somewhere in North Garo Hills district.

A source, however, said that the first round of talks and other negotiations through the back door channels are on the right track.

Meanwhile, another source in the state secretariat said that the government would stick to its firm policy not to give in to any demand put forth by any of the armed outfits.