My offer to be mediator hasn't been materialized: Former HNLC General Secretary

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Former general secretary of banned outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Chesterfield Thangkhiew expressed that even in the past many have step forward to mediate peace takes with the Centre and State government, however till date there has not been any success nor anything has happened on this front.

Thangkhiew made the statement after BJP leader and Health Minister of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) AL Hek had said that the party would write to the Central government seeking peace talks with the HNLC.

"When I returned to the mainstream I had offered myself to be the mediator between the government and the HNLC. However, it didn't reach any conclusion as no one approached me, hence concerning the BJP offer I don't know what to say," Thangkhiew said while speaking to The Sentinel. It may be mentioned that in October, 2018 Thangkhiew surrendered before the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong at the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Shillong.

He informed that in the past he was ready to be the middleman between the government and thd HNLC but the matter remains stagnant.

"If others can do it that I don't know," said the former HNLC leader.

On the statement made by former Home Minister RG Lyngdoh that members of the outfit should surrender individually and not as a group so as they can be accountable, he said, "Lyngdoh has always made this statement since the time he was Home Minister and I was the general secretary of the HNLC. So I'm not surprised."

He, however, said that the important thing is to find a solution and reach the ultimate goal of peace talks with the government and HNLC.

"If the government needs me for persuing the peace talks then I'm ready to be of service but if they have other people that is also ok with me," he said.

It may be reminded that Thangkhiew was one of the founders of Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council (HALC) in the year 1987 and in the year 1997 it was changed to HNLC.

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