Outfit warns of attack for delaying peace process
SHILLONG: The outlawed HNLC on Sunday claimed that its leadership has declared unilateral ceasefire against the government and wanted the union government to appoint an interlocutor at the earliest, while threatening to launch an attack against Central forces in Meghalaya if the union government continued to delay the peace process.
“If the Centre delays in appointing an interlocutor then we will be compelled to launch attack on central forces,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement on Sunday, while praising the state government for initiating the peace dialogue.
“The appointment of an interlocutor has been pending since 2014. We have strictly complied with the order of the proposed unilateral ceasefire declared by our leadership,” Nongtraw said, adding, “This is a testament of our unwavering commitment to peace with social justice.”
Claiming that the State police department has been attempting to provoke them with orchestrated operations, Nongtraw said, “We have been silent for a long time and we should not be taken for granted. BSF officials have already declared that we have seven camps and that is not a matter of joke.”
“We have requested that the ceasefire be verified by the state and national bodies. The governments should not refuse to attend our decision and request,” Nongtraw stated.
Making it clear that the outfit did not want the union government to set any pre-conditions for peace talks, Nongtraw said, “It should be clear that we only want what is our legitimate right. We are not demanding anything that belongs to others.”
Nongtraw praised the efforts of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Home Minister Roshan Warjri in submitting their recommendations to the union home ministry to initiate peace talks with the HNLC and to also appoint an interlocutor for the same purpose.