Shillong: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has released a new manifesto demanding recognition of semi-sovereign status for the Hynniewtrep people, while accusing the Indian government of breaching historical agreements.
The manifesto, comprising ten chapters, focuses on alleged violations of the 1947 Standstill Agreement and the Instrument of Accession (IOA), which the group claims were signed under coercion.
“These agreements, intended to safeguard our autonomy, were signed under coercion and amidst grave injustices perpetrated by the Government of India,” the manifesto alleges. According to HNLC, the Standstill Agreement, initially signed to protect the autonomy of the Federation of Khasi States, was breached within three months. The group further claims that Hynniewtrep leaders were forced under military pressure to sign the IOA in December 1947, transforming what was meant to be a voluntary union into a forced inclusion.
HNLC has put forward four primary demands, including official acknowledgment of the alleged IOA violations and a commitment to direct dialogue for the restoration of autonomy. “For over 77 years, the promises enshrined in these agreements have been systematically ignored, leading to the erosion of our sovereignty and the exploitation of our resources,” the manifesto asserts.
The group has issued a pointed ultimatum to the central government: “India stands at a crossroads: honour the 1947 agreement and reaffirm Hynniewtrep’s semi-sovereign status, ensuring a respectful and autonomous relationship, or refuse and face the undeniable truth that the demand for total freedom becomes not only morally but politically justified.”
The manifesto also outlines a vision for self-governance, calling for control over land resources and cultural practices. It describes this vision as a “blueprint for national rebirth” and appeals for international support in their quest for self-determination.
“This manifesto is our declaration of war against oppression,” the group states, emphasizing its commitment to achieving autonomy through unity and the preservation of the Hynniewtrep heritage.
The HNLC’s demands, while reflective of long-standing grievances in the region, come amid heightened security concerns and ongoing efforts by the government to address insurgent activity through dialogue and enforcement. The central government has yet to issue an official response to the manifesto.
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