Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Prestone Tynsong dismisses Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council allegation

 A Reporter

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Prestone Tynsong has rubbished allegations made by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) that the State Government along with BSF and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is using the Khasi people from the international border as informers to report on the activities of the HNLC in Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned that HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw had said that the outfit had also received inputs that R&AW is also involved in this activity.

Speaking to The Sentinel on Monday, Tynsong said, "The State Government is not aware if R&AW is involved in the intelligence gathering of the HNLC activities in Bangladesh. Firstly you need to know about the role of R&AW, which is an external intelligence agency, and it does not have to go through the State Government to carry out their work."

He said the R&AW does not have to consult State Governments before carrying out any intelligence operation.

"The orders come from their headquarters and what is needed to be done they will carry out their duties," he said.

He said that this matter when it comes to R&AW is a matter concerning the Central Government and that of Bangladesh.

"The State Government does not have the authority to go after the HNLC in Bangladesh because this has to go through different ministries of the Central Government," he said.

Citing HNLC former general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew's return to the maintream last year, Tynsong said, "The government is aking the remaining members and leaders of the HNLC to come overground and the government will not use the word 'surrender' and the members should retire from the outfit."

"There is no need to appoint a mediator to pave the way for talks with the HNLC. However the need of the hour is conviction from them to serve the people of the State," he said adding that the doors of the government is always open for them to come overground and retire.

"If they are not able to contact anyone, they can always contact me or any other of my colleagues in the MDA government and we are there to respond positively," he said.

 Also read: Meghalaya news