SHILLONG: The State Government will examine proscribed HNLC’s offer for a ‘bilateral ceasefire’.
“Before making any commitment, Government will verify the authenticity of the offer since it has come through media reports,” a senior government official said here on Monday.
While reiterating Government’s endevour for maintaining peace and tranquility in the State, he said that Government wanted to be sure if at all HNLC was serious in having a bilateral ceasefire agreement.
“We are on the job. HNLC has to convince us first,” the official said.
On Sunday, the banned outfit announced that it was willing to go for a ‘bilateral ceasefire’, if the State Government is really serious about offering rehabilitation packages to it.
“If the government of Meghalaya is really serious about offering rehabilitation packages to the HNLC then it should chalk out strategies to come under a bilateral ceasefire,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement.
The statement of the outfit came following Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s Independence Day appeal to all the “misguided youth” to take advantage of the government’s offer to come overground and avail the rehabilitation package.
Sawkmie’s plea: Meanwhile the KHADC MDC and former Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie has urged Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to send an official invitation to HNLC to hold talks while welcoming the reciprocal offer of HNLC in this regard.
In a statement issued here, Sawkmie said on Monday that he is happy that the HNLC has responded positively to the offer of Chief Minister in his independence day speech.
“Both Government and HNLC mean business and talks can take place only if the Government plays a positive role by sending an official invitation to the militant group”, Sawkmie said.
He hoped that the positive approach of the Chief Minister in dealing with the issue would lead to a solution.
