Shillong, Aug 3: The HNLC has authorised the vice chairman of the outfit Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristerwell Thongni, and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh and two of their PSOs(Personal Security officers) Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh to participate in the ongoing tripartite peace talks between the Centre, State and the HNLC.
Did not materialise talks in Cong regime
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Saińkupar Nongtraw, the general secretary cum publicity secretary of HNLC said since 2004 , peace talks were initiated but it did not materialise, in spite of the Congress being in power at the state as well as the centre.
Again in 2014 as per the request made by Ex Governor of Meghalaya RS Mooshahary to come forward to the negotiating table, the HNLC said it accepted the offer but subsequently “the same congress government failed us”.
Praise for MDA
“This time the HNLC is positive about the initiative taken by the MDA government as well the approval made by the NDA government at the centre. For the last few months the talks have been heading towards the right direction due to the cooperation extended by both the GOM and the GOI. 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), it’s representative Sadon Blah and the HNYF, it said.
The HNLC thanked the government for providing a safe passage to its leaders and 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”, Nongtraw said.
The HNLC said as long as the peace process is in progress, it is determined to make it happen.
“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 location headquarters as per the discussions held with the government”, the HNLC said.
The militant group said it is committed to peace talks and expected the same kind of commitment from the government.
“We believe that the peace process would be expedited at the earliest and a step towards a political solution would be arrived at so as to enable peace and tranquility in the state”, Nongtraw said.
