Ready for unconditional peace talks, says HNLC

SHILLONG: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has expressed its willingness for “unconditional” peace talks with government.
In a statement issued here on Monday, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said talks should not be based on any conditions.
Stating that that the Government of India will never be able to resolve the problems by using gun power, Nongstraw said the only way to resolve these problems is through dialogues otherwise HNLC will continue its struggle “even if it takes them another 31 years”.
Further, the banned rebet outfit also said it would follow in the footsteps of Wickliffe Syiem, the founder of Hynniewtrep nationalism who had maintained that “it was not the wish of the indigenous people to be Indians but were forced to be citizens of India”.
Nongtraw said instead of celebrating the Independence Day; the traditional institutions should instead observe August 15 as ‘Wickliffe Syiem Day’ who was born on August 15, 1909. The outfit alleged that Meghalaya despite getting statehood is yet to achieve “political freedom” and the state still has to depend on the Centre government for making laws for the state which has only 3 MPs.
“We have also seen that when the Assembly or the District Council wanted to make any law, the final decision has to be taken by the Governor to ensure that such laws are not in conflict with the Central laws.”
According to HNLC, it is also high time that “our historical rights and mother tongue should be recognised” while adding that U Tirot Sing Syiem and U Kiang Nangbah should be given due recognition as the freedom fighters of the indigenous community.
Admitting that the outfit is facing a lot of difficulties due to the surrendering of its cadres as well as cadres who were killed and arrested in the past, the HNLC publicity secretary however claimed that the outfit is gaining its strength financially.
“As of today, we are in a better position in term of finance, cadre strength and the ability to buy new weapons,” he said.