ANVC faction conspiring with ISI: Meghalaya CM

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today accused the break-way faction of militant group Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), the ANVC-B, of indulging in a criminal conspiracy with the ISI to create communal tension with Assam.
"We cannot rule out any larger conspiracy to create problem across the region, not only in Garo Hills but across the region, when an organisation like ANVC-B is indulging in selective killings," Mukul told reporters after a cabinet meeting here.
"I have directed the investigating agency to find out as to who are the smart minds behind these people who are guiding them. We did not rule out the involvement of ISI and other anti-national elements in killing migrant labourers to create communal tension (in the area)," he said.

Police have arrested 24 ANVC (B) cadres on July 26 from the outfit's camp at Edenbari, about 7km from West Garo Hills district headquarters, Tura, for their alleged involvement in killing of two migrant labourers.
A peace forum in Assam's Dhubri district claimed that militants have killed 11 migrants in the past one year, kidnapped nearly 100 and 60 of them were released after paying ransom, but most cases went unreported in Meghalaya.
Backing his claim, the Chief Minister said Garo tribals are not only confined to Garo Hills region in Meghalaya but they are also present in various parts of Assam and are surrounded by minority population.

"Therefore it can have a larger ramification with respect to law and order, and communal flare up and it could spiral across the region," the Chief Minister said.
Accusing the ANVC-B of being involved directly in the killings, the Chief Minister said, "Police have been able to have concrete evidence against the ANVC-B and arrest them."
Both the ANVC and the ANVC-B are signatory to the tri-partite peace initiative in January last year and have agreed on the final text of the peace settlement.