SHILLONG:
The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on November 30 termed the summon notices issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as “uncalled for” since the peace process between the government and the outfit has already started.
The statement came after a Special Judge of the NIA issued summon notices directing leaders of the HNLC to appear before them.
“This is a clear cut indication that the authorities concerned have bypassed the entire procedure of the ongoing peace talks,” HNCL general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement.
Nongtraw said before initiation of the ongoing tripartite peace talks, the HNLC had made it clear that all its cases should be withdrawn so as to ensure a secure environment during the talks.
He also claimed that the government had assured that once the process starts, old cases would not be a case of concern and that they shall not in any way hamper the peace talks.
“In fact Chief Minister Conrad Sangma along with Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui had asserted that the NIA chargesheet shall not hamper the peace talks,” he informed.
“The summons are an issue of concern, as when the peace talks are going on, then how can new cases be framed against the leaders,” he stated. He said that this also clearly shows the double standards and attitude of the government, which again creates doubt and mistrust on the entire exercise.
Nongtraw further said that the HNLC had renounced violence once the peace talks were initiated and till date has not created any kind of atmosphere that would hamper the talks.
“We have had several rounds of meetings with officials of the MHA and the state government. So far we had been assured of total peace, coordination and cooperation by the government but today’s summon in the local dailies was uncalled for,” he added.