HNLC writes open letter to Ampareen, says it is ready to abandon political armed struggle if people reject a free, sovereign Hynniewtrep

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 6, 2024

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Friday said it is ready to abandon its ‘political armed struggle’ if people vote to remain with India and reject a free and sovereign Hynniewtrep.

The statement came as a strong reaction to a recent statement made by the National People’s Party (NPP) leader and cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh accusing the HNLC of merely “roaring from the jungle” after the outfit had alleged that NPP is becoming an “instrument of Garo domination” while putting forward three demands that include a rotational chief minister system to ensure equitable leadership among all communities of Meghalaya.

In an open letter to Lyngdoh, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “If you genuinely wish to allow the people of Hynniewtrep to decide, we challenge you to advocate for a referendum or plebiscite, similar to what the FARC and the government of Colombia undertook in 2016, or what the people of Scotland pursued in 2014.”

“Let the world see whether the Hynniewtrep people support your party’s ideology or our cause for self-determination. If the people vote to remain with India and reject a free, sovereign Hynniewtrep, we will abandon our political armed struggle and willingly spend the rest of our lives in prison,” he stated.

Nongtraw also referred to Lyngdoh’s statement accusing HNLC of merely “roaring from the jungle” and calling them to participate in Indian elections “is not only misleading but also dismissive of the fundamental issues concerning the sovereignty and rights of the Hynniewtrep people.”

“Allow me to address this directly. We do not “roar from the jungle” out of choice but necessity. History has shown that when a people’s voice is silenced and their rights trampled upon, the wilderness becomes a sanctuary for resistance. The HNLC stands as a defender of Hynniewtrep’s identity and sovereignty, both of which have been systematically eroded through political deceit and historical betrayals,” he said while adding “By urging us to participate in the Indian elections imposed upon our land, you fail to recognize the very foundation of our struggle—the fight for our sovereignty. These elections are not a reflection of democracy for us but a calculated mechanism to legitimize India’s illegal occupation of our land. You align yourself with the forces that dishonor the Treaty of Hynniewtrep signed in 1947, betraying the principles it upheld. Your call for participation is nothing more than an attempt to perpetuate colonial control and undermine our rightful fight for self-determination.”

Also slamming the minister for alleging the HNLC of being communal and divisive, Nongtraw said, “You have accused us of being communal and divisive, claiming that we seek to create a situation like Manipur. Comparing Hynniewtrep to Manipur is like comparing night and day. We have our own ancestral land, steeped in history and culture. Archaeological evidence suggests that we represent one of the oldest civilizations in Asia. Yet, we remain stateless, betrayed by successive governments that have dishonored our Syiem and disregarded the sacrifices of ki khun ki hajar u Hynniewtrep.”

“Your ignorance of Hynniewtrep’s rich history exposes the colonial mindset you proudly carry, a mindset that seeks to undermine our true identity. Instead of embracing your heritage as a proud Hynniewtrep, you have subordinated yourself to the imposed label of “Meghalayan first”—a tactic designed to erase our uniqueness and assimilate us into a foreign narrative. You have chosen to deny the very essence of who we are, betraying the spirit of our ancestors for the comfort of colonial submission. Your baseless accusation of communalism is not only hypocritical but also a reflection of your own divisive politics, steeped in religious bias. It is your agenda that has fragmented our society, exploiting faith as a tool to secure power. Take Laitumkhrah, for instance—a constituency you claim as a stronghold. Your so-called victory there was not a result of your policies or leadership but a calculated play on religious identity. Even the late B.B. Lyngdoh recognized this when he aptly described Laitumkhrah as a “mini-Vatican.” The truth is clear: it is your politics, not ours, that thrives on division,” he alleged.

“How can you have the audacity to comment on something you openly admit you have not even read? This is the pinnacle of irresponsibility. You are nothing but a reckless politician. If you doubt my words, I challenge you to read my statements, Hynñiewtrep Pulse – Message to the Masses (Part 1) and Message to the Hynniewtrep: Unite Against Political Marginalization. If anyone finds that I am not speaking the truth, I am willing to offer Rs 5 lakhs and, if necessary, my life as proof of my sincerity,” Nongtraw stated.

The letter further stated, “You claim to represent the people, but from the comfort of your bedroom? Your so-called leadership in the Meghalaya Assembly is a mockery, as shown by the viral video of you sleeping through critical sessions. A lazy legislator and sleeping representative, you betray the trust placed in you. Is this leadership? 

History will remember you as the face of the infamous “white ink” scandal, a stain on political integrity. While others faced justice, you evaded accountability, shielded by Conrad Sangma’s political power. You stand as a corrupt leader, a criminally-embattled representative who used your political connections to evade the truth. Is this the legacy you want? A reminder that in politics, the corrupt thrive while the people suffer.”

“Mrs. Lyngdoh, the HNLC stands unshaken and unyielding, refusing to align with any political party. We see through their schemes—whether it’s a Garo wolf in sheep’s clothing or a Khasi fox with a silver tongue, both are leading our people to the same Hindu cowshed of subjugation. We reject their empty rhetoric, their false promises, and their system built to chain us. This is not a fight for seats, titles, or power—this is a battle for the survival, sovereignty, and liberation of Hynniewtrep,” he stated.

Stating that the struggle of the Hynniewtrep people is not one of division but a rightful pursuit of self-determination, Nongtraw said, “Instead of dismissing our cause with baseless accusations, we urge you to confront the real questions: Why does the Indian government continue to ignore the revival of the Standstill Agreement of 1947 or refuse to revisit the Instrument of Accession of 1947, which was imposed upon us by the Indian state?

If India claims to be the world’s largest democracy, why does it avoid holding a referendum or plebiscite to truly gauge the will of the Hynniewtrep people?”

“Your accusations and attempts to delegitimize our struggle will not weaken our resolve. We remain steadfast in our commitment, drawing strength from the global movements for freedom and the unwavering resilience of our people. Our people are awakening, and no amount of propaganda can dim the truth of our struggle. Hynniewtrep will never sink but will walk on the path of light and freedom,” he concluded.