SHILLONG: Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) which was responsible for a low-intensity IED attack in Shillong last month has offered to meet with the Meghalaya government over a Peace talk.
According to a statement released on Tuesday evening, signed by the HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary, Saiñkupar Nongtraw, the group decided to "give peace a chance" on the request of "elders and some social organisations."
We recently agreed to reach a peace deal with the Government of Meghalaya and the Government of India after extensive consultation with several elders. As of right now, we are willing to talk within the bounds of the Indian Constitution and without any preconditions. "We are willing to engage in talks with the Government of India if it is willing," the statement stated.
The group also requested the Centre to select an intermediary and demonstrate its "seriousness" by appointing an interlocutor for the negotiations. The outfit also urged the Centre to appoint an interlocutor for the talks and show its "seriousness".
The group also requested the Centre to select an intermediary and demonstrate its "seriousness" by appointing an interlocutor for the negotiations.
The government now has to decide whether it wants to give peace a chance or continue the struggle, according to the statement, which also stated that the group would "protect the rights of our people and our land."
The HNLC is a breakaway section of the Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council (HALC), the state's first militant tribal outfit, which desires a sovereign Khasi homeland in Meghalaya.
Currently, the group's commander-in-chief, Bobby Marwein, is based in Bangladesh, along with five other leaders. In Meghalaya, the HNLC has been responsible for three blasts since July 2021.
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