1

Table Of Content

Introduction.

1. Brief History of Meghalaya.

2. Definition of Extremist.

3. Its Origin

4. The Main Extremist group of Meghalaya.

4.1. Hynniewtrep National Volunteer Council (HNLC).

4.2. A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC).

4.3. People Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M).

4.4. Liberation of A’chik Elite Force (LAEF).

5. Connection and Recent Development.

6. Significant incidents in Last three years.

6.1. The significant incidents in the year 2009.

6.2. The significant incidents in the year 2010.

6.3. The significant incidents in the year 2011.

7. Peace effort.

Conclusion.

Bibliography.
 2

Introduction

Meghalaya is located in the North-Eastern part of India. She is one of the so called eight
sisters (including Sikkim) of this side of the country. In this paper we would discuss about
few extremist groups of this state. And their origin and their development could be seen
throughout this paper.

1. Brief History of Meghalaya.

Meghalaya was formed by carving out the two districts of the state of Assam: The United
Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills, got the State of Meghalaya on 21 st January 1972.
The three main tribal groups of Meghalaya are the Garos, the Khasis and Jaintias. In 2001
Census (outdated) puts the Meghalaya population at 2.3 milliom, of which 1.2 million are the
Khasis and 0.8 million are Garos and the rest Jaintias.

Major differences in tribal groups of Meghalaya are: 1). The Khasi people called
themselves ‘Ki Hnniewtrep’ which means “the seven huts” in the Khasi language. The Garo
people called themselves ‘A’chik Mand’ which literally means “hill people from A’chik ‘hill’
+ Mand means ‘people’ ”, or in simple A’chik or Mand.

2). Khasi is a branch of the Mon Khmer family of the Austro asistic Stock. In fact, the
languages of the various sub-tribes of Khasis, Pnar and War-are the northern-most Austro-
Asiantic languages. The Garo language belongs to the Bodo branch of the Bodo-Naga-
Kachin Family of the Sino-Tibetan shylum.

3). Majority of Khasis and Garos are Christian belonging to different denominations. And
majority of Jaintias follow a religion called Nimatre.1

2. Meaning and Definition of Extremist.

Extremist means a person who holds extremely political views.2 The word ‘Extremist’
cannot easily be defined but it has been described variously as both tactic and strategy; a
crime and a holy duty a justified reaction to oppression and an inexcusable abomination.

Obviously a lot on whose point of view is being is represented. Extremist has often been an
effective tactic for the weaker side conflict. As an asymmetric form of conflict, it confers
coercive power with many of the advantages of military force at a fraction of the cost. Due to
1
. http:// dharna-yuddam.blogspot.com/2010/07/understanding-Meghalaya.html.(August 25, 2011.)
2
. Judy, Pearshall. Ed. “Extremist 505”, Concise, Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University, New Delhi: 1999.
 3

the secretive nature and small size of terrorist organizations, they often offer opponents no
clear organization to defend against or to deter.3

3. Its Origin:

Extremist groups in Meghalaya started as a movement against the domination of the

‘dkhars’ (outsiders). The Hynniewtrep A’chik Liberation Council (HALC) represented the
interest of the Khasis, Jaintias and The Garos. However, tribal differences led to a split in the
HALC in 1992, into the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) representing the
Khasis and the Jaintias, and the A’chik Matgrik Liberation Army (AMLA) representing the
Garo.

The HNLC aims at converting Meghalaya “as a province exclusively for the Khasi tribe
and frees it ‘domination’ by the Garo tribe”. The A’chik National Volunteer Council’s
(ANVC) objective is to carved out a homeland called ‘A’chik Land’ in the areas of Garo
Hills. The HNLC’s activities were restricted to the Khasi hills and several of its attaching
look places in the capital Shillong.4

4. The Main Extremist group of Meghalaya:

4.1. Hynniewtrep National Volunteer Council (HNLC):

The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) is a product of 1992 split in the
Hynniewtrep A’chik Liberation Council (HALC), the first militant tribal outfit in Meghalaya.

The HALC split due to the inter-tribal antagonisms leading to the formation of the HNLC
and the A’chik Matgrik Liberation Army (AMLA). In the erst-while HALC, the Hynniewtrep
represented the Khasi and Jaintia tribes and the A’chik represented the Garos in the common
fight against the Dkhars or outsiders. The HNLC was proscribed on November 16, 2000.

An important objective of the HNLC is to transform Meghalaya as a province exclusively

for the Khasi tribe and free it from ‘domination’ by the Garo tribe. Another objective is to
fight against the presence of ‘outsiders’ as the HNLC feels that Khasi youth are deprived of
the fruits of development in the State. The HNLC deems Khasi and Jaintia as its turf Uranium
is abundant in the West Khasi Hills and HNLC wants to prevent the extraction of the same.5

3
. http:// www.sapt. Org/satporglp/countries/india/states/Meghalaya/terrorist-outfits/anvc.html. (August 28, 2011).

4
. http://ldsindia.org/meghalaya-insurgency.asp (August 27, 2011).
5
. www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/meghalaya terrorist-outfits/plf-m.htm. (August 25,2011)
 4

4.2. A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC):

The A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) was formed in December 1995. It was
proscribed on 16th November, 2000. The outfit signed a ceasefire agreement with the
government of India on 23rd July, 2004.

This outfit aims to carve out a homeland called ‘A’chik Land’ in the areas of Garo Hills.
The proposed A’chik Land comprises, the present districts of Garo Hills in Meghalaya and
large Chunk of Kamrup and Goalpara districts of Assam. The ‘Garo Majority’ in these areas
is used as the argument for this demand. The ANVC differ from the other Garo separatist
organisation Garo National Council (GNC), which aims for a Garo State Comprising only
three districts of Garo Hills.6

4.3. People Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M).

People Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M) is a relatively new terrorist group operating
in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya Reports suggest that the outfit has been re-christened as the
A’chik National Council (ANC).

The PLF-M consists of some of these “surrendered rebels” of the erst while ALMA who
returned underground after their rehabilitation scheme failed.

The claimed objective of the PLF-M is economic development of the Garo Hills as well as
better educational opportunities for the Garo tribes in Meghalaya. It also demands a separate
state for the Garos. In this regard, Chenku Momin, the minister for information and publicity
of the PLF-M had warned all the non-Garos, in March 2001, not to contest the state
Assembly and district council elections slate for 2003.7

4.4. Liberation of A’chik Elite Force (LAEF).

In early 2006, the outfit Liberation of A’chik Elite Force (LAEF) was formed by a former
police commando, Peter Marak. The outfit, which is known to have linkages with the
National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), has been involved in the few
incidents in the Garo Hills area. LAEF also maintains linkages with the NSCN-IM. LAEF
pursue its goal of a ‘Separate Garo State’.8

6
. www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/meghalaya terrorist-outfits/plf-m.htm. (August 28,2011)
7
. www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/meghalaya terrorist-outfits/plf-m.htm. (August 25,2011)
8
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).
 5

5. Connection and Recent Development:

In the Meghalaya, ANVC, along with the other prominent outfit, HNLC, abets this infusion
of fake currency and in turn receives considerable operating funds. Extortion remains the
Major source of funding for the ANVC. Incidents of abduction are frequent in the State.
Money is regularly collected from the trading community of the area in the name of the ‘fund
Collection’.9

On 23rd July 2004 a cease fire agreement was signed between government of India and the
ANVC for a period of six months. The agreement is signed by top officials from Government
of India and the seven top leaders of the outfit except the Chairman, Dilash Marak and
Commander-in-Chief Jerome Momin. This agreement led to the release of the abducted
Indian Forest Service official unconditionally without any ransom paid to the abductors, D.
Sathyen on 2nd July, 2004 unharmed after a fortnight.10

A cease fire-Monitoring cell has been set up at the Coal India Complex at Araimile in Tura,
headquarter of the West Garo Hills district. Two designated camps for the surrendered
militants have also been set up at Samanda and Chokpot in the Garo Hills region. 11On 31st
August 2006, the self-styled ‘Chairman’ of the ANVC, Dilash Marak figured in the list of
wanted militants residing in Bangladesh, handed over by the Border Security Force (BSF)
during their meeting in Shillong.12

Police sources reports that ANVC is currently divided into three groups: The first major
groups belong to those cadres whose primary interest is to be rich by means of extortion.
“Most of the cadres belonging to this group have already associated themselves with the new
outfit GNLA (Garo National Liberation Army) led by Meghalaya Police ‘DSP’ Champion R.
Marak”. This outfit has been under the police scanner for serving extortion notes ranging
from INR 500,000 to 10 million, to petrol pump owners, Coal dealers and businessmen in the
Coal-rich Districts of Garo Hills.

The second groups include mostly the top leaders, who are involved in peace talks with
government. “These top leaders of ANVC are also living lavish lifestyle.

9
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 28, 2011).
10
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).
11
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).
12
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 28, 2011).
 6

The third group with a very few numbers includes those who wanted to come to the main
stream. Most of them are ANVC members for namesake only. They are fed up with the
outfit’s activities.13

In the year 2010, 16 th May, ANVC submitted a 12-page memorandum to the Union
Government spelling out the details of its demand for setting up a Garo Autonomous Council.
On 30th Juine, 2010 due to repeated cease fire violations and involvement in the abduction of
a coal trader Nokma Chongrin Marak of Garo Hills (ANVC blamed GNLA), it was extended
by three months.14

ANVC giving support to a new militant’s group-GNLA and engaging in sporadic

extortion, an accusation is given to the outfit. ANVC ‘spokesperson’ Torik Jangning Marak
said the outfit would not pull out from the cease fire as “It would affect the prevailing
peaceful atmosphere in Garo Hills. ANVC is not pulling out from the agreement yet we are
not happy about it as it was unilateral decision which was taken in the meeting to have
periodic ceasefire”. He said, meanwhile, Telegraph reports that the Centre decided to
examine the ANVC’s demand for an autonomous body like Garo Land Territorial Council.15

6. Significant incidents in Last three years.

6.1. The significant incidents in the year 2009:

In December 11th, the ANVC outfit states that its fight for separate Garoland would gain
momentum with the centre initiating the process for the creation of Telengana. The outfits
publicity Secretary Artist Sangma said with the Centre taking steps to create a Telengana
state, the outfit’s demand would also be justified in the days to come.”Our demand is very
much genuine and we are not asking for the sun and moon, but a separate state within India
unlike other militant groups, which are demanding sovereignty” Sangma said.

September 29th Meghalaya Police has reported sought the help of the outfit to neutralise
other militant groups in the Garo Hills. The ANVC leader Artist Sangma said that the outfit
was ready to help Meghalaya Police.16

13
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).
14
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).
15
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25, 2011).

16
. http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 28, 2011).
 7

6.2. The significant incidents in the year 2010:

On 16th January, two activist of Liberation A’chik Elite Force (LAEF) were killed and
another injured in a gunfight with security forces in Songsak area bordering South Garo Hills
and West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

October 9th: At least eight people were injured in a bomb blast triggered in a shopping place
at Tura West Garo Hills district. The blast was suspected to be handiwork of GNLA.

November 17th : Suspected GNLA militants killed two coal miner and attacked a petrol pump
in South Garo Hills district.

The security forces were also able to arrest a few top leaders of the militant outfits in the
state. On 13th January, 2010 security forces arrested Shembhalang Dkhar and Roy Kupar
Marbaniang the Commander-in Chief and Chairman respectively of the newly formed
militant group Hynniewtrep Liberation Front (HLF) from Shillong. On 15th May 2010, the
‘general secretary’ of GNLA, Novembirth Ch. Marak was arrested from New Jalpaiguri
Station in West Bengal. On the same day, the GNLA finance secretary was arrested by
security forces, Solte Marak and Martin from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills district. The
continued counter-extremist operations also resulted in surrenders of 17 militants, including
the LAEF ‘Chairperman’ Dimrin N Sangma alias Ramen, surrender to the security forces in
2010.17

6.3. The significant incidents in the year 2011:

On the first day of the month January, the ethnic clash happened between Garo and Rabha
tribes, which erupted when the Rabhas attacked a wedding party of the Garos and targeted a
Garo pastor.

January 5th: Four pastor were killed in two separate incidents in the Bajengdoba section in
the ethnic turmoil between the Garos and the Rabhas.

April 5th: Suspected militants belonging to the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA)
raided a depot belonging to the one of the biggest coal exporters of Garo Hills and shot dead
five of its labourers and injured one seriously in the interior of South Garo Hills district.

17
. www.satp.org/satportp/countries/India/states/meghalaya/terrorist-outfits/anvc.htm (August 25, 2011)
 8

June 4th: Suspected GNLA militants killed three personnel and injured two others in an
ambush at Thapadarenchi village in East Garo Hills district.

The ceasefire with the militant group A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and
Government was extended for three months on June 30th, 2011. The outfit was however was
concerned over the slow pace of political negotiation for the creation of an autonomous
council, due to political instability in the state.

The extremist in Meghalaya is yet to completely finish off. The emergency of the GNLA
has heavily impacted the law and order situation in state. The security forces need to bring
this outfit under control soon, so as to end the era of extremism in the State.18

7. Peace effort: The church has played a crucial role toward peace in Meghalaya. While
the Shillong Khasi, Jaintia and Garo church leaders in Forum was officially designated as the
negotiator with the HNLC. The Garo Baptist Convention was instrument in bringing the
ANVC to the peace talks.

In 2003, individuals like Garo politician and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha Mr. PA.
Sangma offered to mediate between the State and ANVC. However, the proposal was
acceptable to the State government.

In October 2008, the HNLC rejected an offer for the peace talks by the State government
saying that it has no agenda to hold talks with the State government or State Police
department as they are only actors of Indian government.19

Meghalaya is one of the peaceful States in the North-East. But with the birth of a few and
new extremist groups in the State, the situation may not remain so. The political instability in
the State also worsened the problems.20

Conclusion.

18
. http://cdpsindia.org/meghalaya-insurgencyasp(27/8/2011).
19
. http://cdpsindia.org/meghalaya-insurgency.asp (27/8/2011).
20
. http://idpsindia.org/meghalaya-assesment.asp(27/8/2011).
 9

From this paper we can understand about the extremist groups of Meghalaya. It is one of
the main issues in the State. The State needs to be united and need to work hard together
against them in positive way.

Bibliography.

http:// dharna-yuddam.blogspot.com/2010/07/understanding-Meghalaya.html.(August 25,

2011.)
Judy, Pearshall. Ed. “Extremist 505”, Concise, Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University, New
Delhi: 1999.
http:// www.sapt. Org/satporglp/countries/india/states/Meghalaya/terrorist-outfits/anvc.html.
(August 28, 2011).

http://ldsindia.org/meghalaya-insurgency.asp. (August 27, 2011).

www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/meghalaya terrorist-outfits/plf-m.htm. (August
25,2011)
www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/meghalaya terrorist-outfits/plf-m.htm. (August
28,2011)
http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 25,
2011).
http/dharma-yuddham.blogspot.com/2010/7/understanding Meghalaya.html. (August 28,
2011).
www.satp.org/satportp/countries/India/states/meghalaya/terrorist-outfits/anvc.htm (August
25, 2011
http://cdpsindia.org/meghalaya-insurgency.asp(27/8/2011).
http://idpsindia.org/meghalaya-assesment.asp(27/8/2011).

A Paper Presentation

On
10

Tibetan Lamaism

Submitted to

Rev. Reji Varghese

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for course

Survey Of World Religion

By

Samson G. Momin

M.Div. 1st Yr.

Reg. No. 2177/11

Church On The Rock Theological Seminary

12th August, 2011

11