Meghalaya govt to take a call soon on HNLC’s peace talk offer

Meghalaya Government will discuss the offer of dialogue by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council or HNLC in the Cabinet before taking a call on it.

The HNLC had recently in a statement offered to have a political dialogue or peace talks with the state or the centre to come to the mainstream but maintained that they would not surrender before talks.

Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, the stand of the Government has always been very clear that as long as such outfits don’t shun violence and do not come with pre-conditions, door for talks is always open.

Stating that the State government is concerned about the overall peace in the state and this is something important, he however said that there are rules and procedures that needs to be followed and the government will see how best they can address this issue and try to figure out to ensure that there is a long lasting peace and bring all the people who have been in different organisations to the mainstream.

The HNLC, which as been involved in several runs hit-and-run operations besides extortion cases, has been demanding a sovereign Hynniewtrep homeland in Meghalaya. The Ministry of Home Affairs on November 18 had extended the ban on the HNLC under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.