Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will meet with the Centre to discuss the outlawed terrorist group HNLC’s offer of peace negotiations on Tuesday. He’ll travel to New Delhi for a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Chief Minister will meet with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss the next steps in the HNLC peace offer.
The Chief Minister said, “I will meet officials of the MHA and brief them about the developments and discuss on how to take this (peace process) forward. Once we get a nod from MHA, we will take the next step.”
The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had previously claimed that it is willing to engage in peace talks with no strings attached.
Saikupar Nongtraw, the HNLC’s General Secretary, made a statement announcing the organization’s decision to participate in peace talks.
“After hearing several appeals from elders and social organisations in the previous few days, we (the HNLC) have decided to give peace another chance,” Nongtraw stated.
“At this time, we are ready to talk within the framework of the Indian constitution and without any preconditions,” the HNLC head stated.
The banned group has been striving for a sovereign homeland for Meghalaya’s native Khasi people.
Nongtraw claimed that the killing of former GS Cherishterfield Thangkhiew last year had ruined the peace process, but that they will continue to protect the rights of the jaidbynriew (indigenous Khasi) community.
He further claimed that Thangkhiew was in favour of the peace negotiations and had been tasked with carrying the effort ahead with New Delhi.
“As some elders have informed us,” the HNLC leader stated, “the peace discussions will provide an ideal opportunity for the government to strengthen peace in the region.”