Centre yet to approve name for appointment of interlocutor: Rymbui

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 1, 2022

Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday said the state government is  yet to get any response from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the proposal for appointment of an interlocutor to facilitate peace talks with the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). 

“We have written to the MHA and we have given the names (for appointment of an interlocutor). However, we are yet to get any response from the MHA,” Rymbui told reporters. 

He also informed that the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will also take up the issue during his meeting with the MHA on the border agreement between Assam and Meghalaya on March 9. 

Refusing to disclose the names shortlisted for the purpose, Rymbui said that since the matter is with the central government, the names will be disclosed at an appropriate time.

“We have sent the names which we thought will be acceptable to both the central government and the state government,” he added. 

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When asked, the home minister however said that the nitty gritty of the matter will be taken up once the appointment of an interlocutor is completed. 

“We want this first step to be moved as fast as possible from the government be completed then only we will do all nitty gritty afterwards, he said while adding “Once we have appointed then the HNLC can directly contact with this person whoever maybe appointed then the nitty gritty of that talk will be known after that.” 

The home minister said that it is too premature to say anything before the appointment of the person concerned.