Meghalaya CM takes up with Centre HNLC’s peace offer

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 16, 2022

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said more developments will take place with regards to the proposed peace talks with the banned Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

Sangma had met the Union Home Secretary and other officials of the Ministry of Home Afdairs (MHA) to discuss the official communication received from the HNLC for unconditional talks with both Government of India and Government of Meghalaya in the interest of overall peace in the state.

The outfit had also expressed its readiness to discuss within the parameters of the Constitution of India 

“It is a welcome step and we have updated the Government of India and MHA on these developments and detail discussion on how to take this forward have also been discussed but it is not appropriate for me to share those details at this point in time,” Sangma said after the meeting.

Stating that it was a very positive meeting, the CM said that the state government will take the step forward as per discussion with the MHA. “In the next few days more developments will take place,”he further assured.

Earlier, Sangma had informed that the state government had shortlisted the names of people for appointment as an interlocutor for facilitating peace talks with the Khasi rebel outfit.

The HNLC in a statement issued on February 8 had stated, “As of now we are ready to talk within the ambit of the Indian Constitution and we are ready to have talks without any preconditions. This is for the general information that the Standstill Agreement (SA) and Instrument of Accession (IOA) shall not be included. If the Government of India (GOI) is willing then we are ready to go for a dialogue”.