CM to push for peace talks with HNLC

“In my visit to Delhi tomorrow…I will be meeting the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and I will be briefing them about the developments taking place and discuss with them on how to take this forward,” Sangma told journalists on Monday.

Stating that the process is in a very advanced stage, the chief minister said that the state government has already shortlisted the names of people for appointment as an interlocutor.

“Once we formally communicate and get a signal from MHA, Government of India, we will take the next step forward,” he said while adding that it will be clearer once he makes the visit to Delhi.

On February 9, the HNLC had sent its official communication to the state government reiterating its readiness for peace dialogue without any preconditions.

“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,” HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw had then stated in a statement issued on February 8.

Asking the government to immediately appoint an interlocutor to show its seriousness, Nongtraw had said, “Our aim is to end this conflict and at this point of time we believe that we can achieve whatever we want through peaceful means provided the sincerity of the government. After decades of confrontation and sufferings we the HNLC decided to have a dialogue with the GOM and the GOI as we in the view of acknowledgment that a peaceful solution shall be achieved leaving aside all bitterness. We want to regain the respect of the Hynñiewtrep existence.”

“While it is long overdue we believe that opening and sustaining the space for a dialogue and consensus building will lead to the peaceful resolution of the age-old conflict that has been going on for the last three decades,” he added.

By Our Reporter