HNLC talks: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma meets MHA

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today met officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and discussed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council's (HNLC) 'unconditional' peace talk offer with the Centre.

The Chief Minister met the Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other officials of the MHA in this regard. The Chief Minister said that he updated the Government of India on the developments.

"...and detailed discussions on how to take this forward have also been discussed," the Chief Minister said.

He, however, refused to divulge the details of his discussion with the MHA officials. "It will not be appropriate for me to share those details at this point on time, but it was a very positive meeting. We will take steps forward as per the discussion with the MHA," Sangma said.

The Chief Minister also said that in the next few days more developments on this front would take place. Last week the HNLC stated that it was ready for peace talks and that too, without any pre-conditions.

The HNLC wanted the appointment of an interlocutor for the peace process.

IANS adds: After the meeting with Bhalla, Sangma said the HNLC had recently written a letter to the Meghalaya government expressing their willingness to talk to the Centre and the state government unconditionally.

"The HNLC's proposal to initiate talks with the governments under the parameters of the constitution is a welcome step. They are keen to talk to the government in the interest of peace and development," the Chief Minister said in a video message.

The Meghalaya government is committed to taking forward the peace talks.

The militant outfit said the peace initiative was disrupted after last year's killing or the 'fake encounter' of the group's former General Secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.

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