‘Call HNLC for talks’

SHILLONG, JUNE 9: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) Youth Wing today demanded that the state government call the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for talks. “We urged the government and all the legislators to call the HNLC for talks to ensure that peace is restored in the state,” KHNAM-YW president Thomas Passah said in a statement on Thursday.

Passah said that it is time that the HNLC, which is the only Khasi rebel group, should also be called to the negotiating table as was done in the case of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), a Garo militant outfit, which is now disbanded, to ensure growth and prosperity of the state.

“However the adamant attitude of the chief minister Mukul Sangma only shows that he is only concern about the militant outfits in Garo hills region,” he said.

The KHNAM youth leader lambasted the cabinet ministers for being tight-lipped on the issue despite the fact that all who are in the government have equal role to play in as far as restoring peace in the state.

“From what can be seen the adamant attitude of the state government also clearly indicate that the chief minister is running the affairs of the state alone,” Passah said. The KHNAM also strongly reacted to the recent statement made by the chief minister that there will be no political dialogue with the HNLC.

Passah said that the CM seems to contradict his own statement which he made on February earlier this year that the government has sent proposal to the centre for appointment of two interlocutors for facilitating the peace process with the HNLC. The home minister Roshan Warjri had also confirmed that the names of two interlocutors have been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said while recalling a government’s official statement indicating that the doors for talks are open.-By Our Reporter