Newly-appointed Meghalaya Home Minister Dr Mukul Manda Sangma appealed to all local insurgent groups to take ''advantage'' of the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government's sincere effort to usher in peace through negotiations. Dr Sangma, who blongs to Garo Hills, talked about the ongoing peace truce with the banned Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC).

He said the peace initiative already taken could be successful if all concerned ''adhered to'' the spirit of the ground rules. He said the state government could not alone solve the crisis for a lasting solution could emerge from a collective effort from all quarters. Asked what would be his tactics to bring the other underground group active in Khasi Hills- Hynniewtrep Nationalist Liberation Council (HNLC)- to negotiation table, the Home Minister said he meant by ensuring peace that the whole state would be peaceful and ''not parts of Garo Hills or parts of Khasi hills.'' He said the government's effort was to see that talks were held and grievances addressed in a proper manner and not through the means of bullet for bullet.

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