HSPDP wants talks with HNLC

A Correspondent

Shillong, May 1: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) today condemned the “flip flop” stand of the State government over the talks with the proscribed HNLC.

Speaking to reporters after the CEC of the party on Friday, working president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that even though there are reports that the cadre strength of the outfit has dwindled over the years, the government should initiate talks with it.

According to Basaiawmoit, the State government should hold talks with the HNLC even though the outfit has lost it fire power so that the youths are not encouraged to join if it still exists.

He also said that even if the outfit has only 10-15 members in its ranks the government should make efforts to bring them into the mainstream.

“Why is the government trying to talk with the GNLA which is indulging in terror activities? It means if the strength of an outfit has diminished the government won’t talk but if they are active they are ready for talks,” Basaiawmoit said.

The HSPDP leader said that he had even taken up the issue on several occasions and the government had stated that it was in the process of finding an interlocutor.   

He also said that the Central government has been wrongly advised by the state police on the issue.

Meanwhile, the CEC meet of the HSPDP also discussed the proposal of the MUDA to extend its jurisdiction from its present limits.

According to Basaiawmoit the step was taken in a hurry. “We want the state government to first provide basic amenities to such areas,” Basaiamoit said.

Further the meeting also discussed on the Land Bill and it was decided that a delegation will visit Delhi to present the view of the HSPDP on the Bill. Meanwhile, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) is convening a meeting of all the Rangbah Shnong (Headmen) of Khasi-Jaintia Hills on May 4 to discuss the situation arising out of the arrest of the village chief of Wahkhen village.

The meeting will be held at the Khasi tiol Durbar Hall, Mawkhar from 12 noon and during the meeting a resolution will be adopted on how to tackle the crisis.

Blaming the state government for the present crisis HSPDP working president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoi said that this situation was due to the delay in formulating a law to empower the traditiol institutions of the state.

According to Basaiawmoit if the government has the will it could have formulated a law which will empower the traditiol institutions of the state.