SHILLONG: The proscribed militant outfit HNLC has asked Meghalaya to appoint an interlocutor and show its seriousness about holding talks with the outfit.
HNLC General secretary cum Publicity secretary, Saiñkupar Nongtraw said that time and again the words surrender and peace-talks have become a political joke .
“We did not have any faith in the previous Congress Government nor in the present government .We are being fed with assurances and lies,” HNLC leader said
He said that the invitation of the government at this juncture had injected doubts into their minds as they had been told to surrender first and after that the government shall talk.
“How can we trust the Government when we had bitter experiences in the past. For the last five years we were kept in the dark . Now we cannot take risks to lay down our arms. What will happen to our ideology that we had been fighting for decades long,” he said.
The banned militant group has asked the home minister to consult the various stake holders NGOs, pressure groups ,church elders along with Hynñiewtrep cabinet ministers as to why should they not get an opportunity to come to the peace negotiations like their counterpart the ANVC (Achik National Volunteer council).
According to HNLC, after decades of confrontation and untold sufferings, the HNLC had decided to have political dialogue with the Government of Meghalaya as well as the Government of India as they acknowledge that the government will seek a peaceful solution, leaving aside all bitterness.
“Many lives have been lost and much blood has been spilled and lots of hard work has gone into ensuring the return of peace to our region. Any kind of political or military conflicts can only be eradicated by dialogue. We have not seen any sincerity on part of the government and that makes us apprehensive . We do not subscribe to the word surrender. Now our aim is to do or die,” the HNLC added.
