‘Centre willing to talk to militant outfits’

SHILLONG, MAR 21: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the union government is willing for peace talks with the militant outfits operating in Meghalaya on condition that they ‘abjure’ the path of violence.

“The centre is willing to engage talks with any insurgent groups provided that they abjure violence,” Singh told reporters  in Shillong where he arrived in the on a two-day visit to attend the 181st Raising Day of Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in India.

Singh however said, “If they (outfits) are engaging in violence, then there is no question of having talks with them.”

Singh was reacting to the recent offers made by two rebel outfits – Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) expressing their willingness for dialogue with the government.

On arrival at Shillong for his two-day official he also met the family of former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma, who passed away recently in New Delhi.

Singh also informed that the centre is making all efforts to ensure that the international borders are secured. The statement assumes significance in view of the alleged smuggling of arms along these borders.

Earlier, chief minister Mukul Sangma had also demanded that the centre take care of its borders to ensure that the insurgent and militant outfits do not get access to arms.-By Our Reporter