SHILLONG:
Ahead of the proposed peace talks between the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the Centre, the proscribed outfit’s representative Sadon K Blah, on March 29, said that he looking forward to working with the government-appointed interlocutors and will soon be meeting them.
“I will meet the government interlocutors in the coming days, depending upon their convenience on whether they can make themselves available for a meeting,” said Blah, informing that a telephonic conversation, however, has taken place between him and the interlocutors.
Admitting that the banned outfit has been communicating with him for some time on the peace process, the chief of Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) said, “It will not be appropriate to spell out the agendas communicated to me by them.”
He, however, informed that the outfit will stand by its commitment that the talks will be unconditional and “within the parameters of the Indian Constitution”.
Citing violent incidents that have rocked the state in the past as his decision to accept the proposal of HNLC, he maintained, “The state has experienced violence. Now, the HNLC has conceded to unconditional talk…this is the reason behind my decision to accept their proposal, including the responsibility bestowed on me. It is an enormous responsibility and my role is to bring a tripartite discussion between the HNLC, the government of Meghalaya and the government of India.”
Pushing the ball to the government’s court on the decision to ban the HNLC and the HNYF, Blah said that the decision rests with the Home Ministry, adding that the ban is subject to renewal, hence, there is a need of a ceasefire from both sides.
“If the central government has shown its interest in inviting the HNLC for peace talks, a ceasefire from both sides is needed. Or else talks won’t be possible,” he said.
Regarding the outfit seeking amnesty for various pending cases against it, Blah said that things will unfold as the peace process commences and moves forward. I expect it will move forward positively towards a logical conclusion,” he added.