Shillong: Notwithstanding its ceasefire agreement, Meghalaya-based underground outfit Achik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC) has stuck to its demand of 'greater Garoland' comprising three Garo Hills districts of the State and adjoining areas of Assam.

ANVC general secretary Wanding K Marak was quoted by local media in Shillong today (July 30, 2004) as saying that there would be 'no compromise' on its demand of 'Greater Garoland' and a 'separate State' was their topmost priority.

Marak was one of the six signatories in the ceasefire agreement his outfit had signed in Delhi on July 23, 2004 with the Centre and the State for an initial period of six months.

If States like Uttaranchal, Chhatishgarh and Jharkhand can be created, why not Garoland comprising areas historically inhabited by the Garos, Marak said when his attention was drawn to Centre's declared policy of no more small State.

He said the ANVC would utilise the ceasefire period to mobilise public support from across the Garo society for creating a 'Garoland'.

Asked why the ANVC took up arms causing a lot of bloodshed in the Garo areas of Meghalaya when a democratic movement would have served the purpose, Marak cited the references of past leaders and political outfits, which he said failed to achieve the goal.

Successive Governments in Delhi and Shillong refused to acknowledge our rights for Garoland - which prompted us to go for fight for our 'genuine demand', he argued.

Terming the ceasefire agreement as an achievement itself, the ANVC leader lauded the role played by former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.