Meghalaya government today approved the extension of term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council by another six months to allow a peace settlement with Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), a militant outfit under ceasefire since 2004.
The settlement is scheduled to take place ahead of the elections to the council and the state cabinet's decision would allow the leaders of the outfit to participate in the democratic processes.
The term of GHADC ends on February 17, while the other two councils - the Council for the Khasis and Jaintias, which ends on February 16, has been approved for extension by another 15 days.
"The proposal for the extension of the terms of the three ADCs have been approved by the cabinet," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting here.
"We have examined, deliberated upon and after discussion, we find it reasonable enough to consider extension of GHADC's term for six months at one time to enable the whole process of this text settlement agreement with the ANVC and subsequently to bring in the expected desire for lasting peace in Garo Hills," he said.
The ANVC and its break-away faction the ANVC-B, had approved of the text of the agreement last year, nine years after the parent militant outfit entered into a tripartite ceasefire agreement with state government and the Centre in 2004, demanding for a comprehensive autonomous council in the Garo Hills similar to the Bodo Territorial Council.
The ANVC had also climbed down from their earlier demands and agreed upon by the Government of India for the expansion of the powers of the GHADC and increasing the membership in the council from 29 to 40.
