Outfit calls for peace on eve of 26th death anniv of Wickliffe Syiem
SHILLONG: The HNLC on Monday demanded withdrawal of armed forces and their political machineries at the earliest from the Hynniewtrep soil if the Centre wanted wants peace and normalcy to be restored in the State.
“If the Government of India considers that the rights of people exists as per the declaration of the UNO to the indigenous people of the world then it should recognize the rights of self determination and self governance to the Hynniewtrep and its people,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued here on Monday.
On the eve of the 26th death anniversary of Wickliffe Syiem, the proscribed HNLC has sought clarification from the Union Government on why the Standstill Agreement that was signed on August 9, 1947 was terminated forcefully.
“The agreement was done away with in just six months instead of two years as decided,” Nongtraw claimed.
He said that the British Cabinet Mission, in its statement known ‘Mission Statement’ which was released on May 16, 1947, stated that units of state would fall under the supervision of the Indian government on three areas mainly the defence, foreign affairs and communication.
“However, after India achieved its Independence, the Standstill Agreement was broken within six months since the day it came into force. This was done by compelling the Hynniewtrep Syiems to immediately sign the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 1948,” he said.
He also claimed that the Hynniewtrep kings were very much opposed to signing the documents but were helpless at that point of time, and with guns pointed at them they had no option but to sign the same.
As other kings had opposed this act of coercion by the Indian Government, Wickliffe Syiem joined hands with the Hynniewtrep kings in going against the Indian Union, Nongtraw said, adding that it was the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru which was responsible for forcing the Syiem to sign the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement at gunpoint.
“We are surprised to see that the traditional chiefs are now demanding for Article 371. This clearly signifies that they (Chiefs) are not yet conscious of the worth of the Standstill Agreement,” Nongtraw said.
He accused that the double standards of the Government of India which had imposed restrictions on the entry of Wickliffe Syiem into the Hynniewtrep land when he was on a tour to then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) for trade relations.