Meghalaya Government Calls HNLC to Join the Table for Discussions

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has called on the state's outlawed militant group, the Hynniewtrep National Liberal Council (HNLC), to return and take part in the negotiations with the central and state administrations. Prestone Tynsong, the deputy chief minister of Meghalaya, has stated that if the group wants to have talks, the state is willing to host the same anywhere.

Prestone Tynsong, in a sincere plea to the Hynniewtrep National Liberal Council, stated that in the one and only official round of talks that have taken place between the two parties thus far, the government has already made its intentions clear to the HNLC leadership.

“Only one formal discussion has taken place; numerous informal discussions, even at my level, had taken place prior. There has only been one formal discussion. During the formal discussion, the governments of the central and state asked the HNLC members to please allow the talks to continue, as only the highest leaders should be able to make decisions. Interlocutors have already been appointed by the federal government and state governments, and the central government has granted him complete authority," the deputy chief minister stated in front of media in Shillong.

Tynsong urged the HNLC to carry on with the talks and bring about peace in the state, saying, "What I am trying to tell is whatever we discussed in the last formal meeting we said okay since you cannot say anything right now, go back share with your top leaders and our opinion from the government side (both centre and state) is very clear, the moment they are ready please come back the door is open for talks."

It can be noted that the outfit’s general secretary/publicity secretary, Saun-Kupar Nongtraw, and chairman/commander-in-chief, Bobby Marwein, had recently stated that they would not be able to take part in the talks until the government is prepared to drop all outstanding cases against them and sign a ceasefire agreement.

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