HNLC ready for talks

SHILLONG: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has yet again expressed its willingness to give up it’s arms struggle and decided to leave the ball in the court of the Centre and State government to further the peace initiatives.

This also came following the recent decision of the Centre to extend the ban through a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, declaring the HNLC along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful association.

Reacting to this decision, general secretary cum publicity secretary of the outfit, Sainkupar Nongtraw in a statement issued here on Sunday said despite communiques sent expressing our willingness to come to the negotiating table, till date there had been no developments at all neither from the government of India (GOI) not the government of Meghalaya (GOM) which clearly shows that they do not want Peace nor they want us to be peaceful.

He said right from the year 2004 we had been expressing our willingness to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream but nothing has been materialized as yet except the disbandment of the ANVC.

Stating that this attitude of the government had sent a negative response to council, he said this also made us believe that peace talks are a far cry and hence bloodshed should carry on.

Nongtraw however said that the outfit is of the opinion that “we should be given a chance and a platform to voice our concerns.”

“We believe that it is high time for the GOI, GOM and the HNLC to lay aside our prejudices and biases, to be able to find a common ground for peace to flourish. At this point of time we express our faith in the government and we do believe that we could strengthen our relation after getting positive responses from the governments end. We have realized that we need to give back to our society. We are hoping for a positive outcome from the governments end which would enable us to build bridges with the GOM and the GOI as a whole,” he said.

“Our central command believes that simply surrendering will be a big blow to the principles aims and objectives that we had firmly stood upon. We are now looking forward to give up our arms struggle and concentrate on political dialogue. But again it depends upon the GOM and the GOI whether they take it seriously or implement it with their honest efforts…Now the ball is in the GOM and the GOI court to further the peace initiatives. We hope for either a positive outcome or a negative comeback.” Nongtraw added.

On the other hand, the HNLC leader said if at all this wouldn’t materialize, the outfit will not mind continuing its struggle as it neither lack manpower nor money power nor the firepower.

“This is not to be taken lightly, if we have the willingness to come forward to the negotiating table. We also have the dedication to further strengthen our armed movement, without even hesitating to press the trigger. This is the Era of sophisticated weapons and we do not lack in this field either,” he said.

Stating that the objectives of achieving peace is about resolving our conflict without violence, he said, ”We are ready for peace talks within the ambit of the Constitution of India or outside the Constitution as per requirements. Our idea is to regain the respect and recognition as a Nation. We are fighting for political equality…If India has a parliament, Our Hynniewtrep land should also have one, if it has its own flag,we the Hynniewtrep people should also have one,if India has its own Constitution ,we should also have one and if it has it’s Supreme Court,we must also have one.This is EQUALITY that the HNLC wants. The main problem that we face in our region is not law and order but a political one.  Our demands are very legitimate in nature.”

Meanwhile, Nongtraw reiterated that the objective of the outfit is to end this battle through peaceful means.

“We also believe in the wisdom of listening, the power of participation and the strength of informed dialogue to build an understanding and trust between the GoM and the  GoI. This shall become a joint effort to strengthen up the foundations of peace building,” he said.

Nongtraw also asserted that opening and sustaining the space for dialogue and consensus building would lead to the peaceful resolution of the age old conflict that has been going on for the last three decades.