Kin of militancy victims: Meghalaya govt announces ex gratia

SHILLONG, January 16: Meghalaya government on Monday announced ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 20,000 to those injured in insurgency-related violence, report agencies. Finance Minister AH Scott told a press conference after a Cabinet meeting that it was decided that the ex-gratia payment would be made with retrospective effect from January 5, when five persons were killed and eight others injured by Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militants at Dhankheti in the heart of the city. Asked if the government was making progress in calling militants for talks, Lyngdoh said he did not have word from them. But it would be appreciated if social organisations and the Church mediated in bringing the ultras for negotiations with the Meghalaya Parliamentary Forum government, he said. He said the Cabinet also discussed security and rehabilitation measures for the 36 hardcore surrendered militants of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) of Garo Hills, to prevent them from taking to arms again.