SHILLONG: The banned GNLA has to wait till the formation of a new Government in Delhi to materialize the desire of holding talks with the Government.
Speaking to The Shillong Times over phone on Monday, Joint Secretary, in charge North East , Ministry of Home affairs Shambu Singh said that only the new Government will take a call on the talks offer of GNLA.
Asked about whether any proposal was sent by the State Government to the Centre on the need to hold talks with GNLA, Singh said”, Nothing has come at our level”.
He, however, added that once the proposal comes, the Home Ministry will examine the matter.
“But this is not the time as the general elections are being held. Only the new Government will examine the proposal”, Singh added. The GNLA recently released the names of the negotiators for peace talks with the Government.
Both the Home Minister Roshan Warjri and the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma indicated that the Centre’s approval is required before starting any dialogue with GNLA.
The matter also figured in the just-concluded budget session of the Assembly with the Home Minister replying that after the Governor made an appeal to all the militant outfits to come to the negotiating table, the GNLA responded positively.
She had also said that since the matter has some legalities, Centre’s nod is a must.
Names shortlisted: Meanwhile, the State Government has shortlisted three names who would be appointed as facilitators to initiate talks between the Government and the rebel outfit. “We have forwarded three names to Union Home Ministry for approval,” official sources said on Monday. While refusing to divulge the names of the three people, official sources however indicated that one of them is an eminent senior citizens from Garo Hills while the other two are prominent church leaders.