Union Home Minister stresses for overall socio-economic development of Meghalaya
A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement signed today
A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) among the Government of India, Government of Meghalaya and Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) in the presence of the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, was signed here today. This MoS provides for enhanced autonomy for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya and also a special package for speedier socio-economic and educational development of the area for which the Council had been set up. The Home Minister said that in the years to come, this will change the face of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council area in all spheres.
The Home Minister said that in the past, violence marked the agitation of the ANVC that was intended to attract the attention of the Union Government towards the backwardness of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Area in Meghalaya. After realizing the futility of violence, ANVC came forward and expressed its willingness to give up violence and seek solutions to its problems peacefully within the framework of the Constitution. After several rounds of discussion, the negotiating teams representing the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of Meghalaya and ANVC finalized the tripartite agreement.
Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma, the officials of Meghalaya and the leaders of ANVC for the cooperation extended to the negotiating team headed by Shri P.C.Haldar, Interlocutor from Government of India.
The Home Minister wished that Meghalaya becomes a peaceful and developed State. He also congratulated the people of Meghalaya, including the people of Garo Hills Autonomous Council Area for showing maturity and wisdom, and recognizing the importance of peace for overall socio-economic development.
Shri Rajnath Singh further said that the Union Government has always shown its willingness to enter into a dialogue with any group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place its demands within the framework of the Constitution of India. He urged all groups in the country to give up violence and come forward to find a peaceful solution to all their perceived problems.
The Minister of State for Home, Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma, the Home Minister of Meghalaya, Ms. Roshan Warjri, the Home Secretary, Shri Anil Goswami and other senior officials of MHA and the Government of Meghalaya were also present on the occasion.
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KSD/BK