SHILLONG:
The vice chairman, political and foreign secretaries of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) will take part in the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and state government.
This was informed by the outfit’s general secretary-cum-information secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw, through a statement issued on August 3.
“The HNLC has authorised its vice chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristerwell Thongni, and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh including two of their personal security officers (PSOs) namely, Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh to participate in the ongoing tripartite peace talks between the Centre, state government,” the statement read.
Nongtraw said since the year 2004, the agenda of peace talks was initiated, but it did not materialise, in spite of the Congress being in power in the state as well as the Centre.
Again in the year 2014, as per the request made by the ex-Governor of Meghalaya, RS Moosahary, to come forward to the negotiating table, the HNLC accepted the offer to come forward but subsequently “the same Congress government failed us”, the statement said.
“This time the HNLC is positive about the initiative taken by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government as well the approval made by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. For the last few months, the talks have been heading in the right direction due to the cooperation extended by both the state and central government. The decision to send our top leaders to engage in the ongoing peace talks is due to the trust that has been built between the HNLC and the appointed interlocutors AK Mishra, Ministry of Home Affairs (Retd IPS), Peter Dkhar (Retd IAS), our representative Bah Sadon Blah and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF),” Nongtraw said.
The general secretary of the militant outfit also extended gratitude to the government for providing a safe passage to our leaders.
“At the same time, we believe that the safety and security of our leaders shall not be compromised. Our leaders should feel safe and comfortable and that their stay in the appointed locations, as provided by the government, should not result in house arrest-kind-of an atmosphere,” he added.
Nongtraw further added that the outfit is determined to make the peace process a success.
“We would not leave any stone unturned and hope for a positive outcome. But in case of any eventuality, whereby the peace talks fail, our leaders should return safe and sound to our respective headquarters as per the discussions held with the government,” Nongtraw said. Nongtraw also said that it expects the same kind of commitment from the government.