SHILLONG, AUG 19: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit advised the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant outfit to give up arms but not their struggle.
Basaiawmoit , who is the leader of All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA) that is governing the KHADC, was reacting to the offer by the HNLC expressing its willingness to come under a ‘bilateral ceasefire’ agreement with the government.
The HNLC was responding to the Independence Day appeal made by chief minister Mukul Sangma to all misguided youths to take advantage of the government’s offer to come over-ground and avail the rehabilitation package.
Basaiawmoit told reporters on Tuesday, “Am happy that the outfit has made such welcome offer.” He, however, suggested to the youths to surrender their arms but not to abandon their struggle.
According to Basaiawmoit, there are other ways to achieve the objective of any struggle. He said, “We can always choose other ways which will not affect the society to achieve what we have been struggling for.”
Basaiawmoit, who is also one of the leaders of the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) fighting for a separate Khasi-Jaintia land said that the HNLC decision is something which gives the society a reason to be happy and an assurance that lasting peace, tranquility and sense of security can prevail in the state.”
Stating that the youths need to come forward to fight for many issues concerning the state, Basaiawmoit said, “I would also urge our youths to take the right path in their fight for such issues.” He further informed that he had also earlier suggested to the state government on the need to invite the outfit for peace talks. According to Basaiawmoit this is not the first time that the outfit has made such offer, but it is the state government who is reluctant to respond.
Meanwhile, official sources informed that the state government is on the job to examine the recent offer made by the HNLC to enter into a ‘bilateral ceasefire agreement’. “We are on the job to ascertain the veracity of the request from the outfit as seen in the media and accordingly after proper verification and due diligence the government will react,” the official said. – By Our Reporter
Rightly said…and Government should call all rebelling groups for talks and groups too should come to a point where talks will be successful and Governments should adhere to their commitments and appoint mediators who will not betray…enough of bloodshed and violence and concentrate on building up and fighting corruption which is the root of all evils…