SHILLONG: The state government has downplayed the issue of following up criminal cases against surrendered militant leaders.
The question of crimes committed by militant leaders has yet again surfaced with the surrender of HNLC general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who initiated the process of Thangkhiew’s surrender, said when the government creates a free passage for the militants, filing FIRs against them will be illogical and this is the case throughout India.
“How can we negotiate and at the same time file FIR against the militants who want to come over ground,” Tynsong told reporters.
The deputy chief minister pointed out that negotiation and forgiveness go together and this is not the first time that the militants are surrendering in Meghalaya.
To a question whether this will send wrong signals to the youths, Tynsong said the youths will never take the path of militancy when they come to know that nothing was achieved by those leaders who took the path and the fight was futile as visible from the cases of surrendered members.
Govt doors opened 24×7
The state government wanted the remaining HNLC leaders and cadres to come over ground like in the case of former general secretary of HNLC.
“The doors of the government are open for the remaining members of both HNLC and GNLA to come over ground,” the deputy chief minister said.
He also said after the arrival of the chief minister from Paris, the issue of appointing Thangkhiew as negotiator will be discussed.
Tynsong said if all the HNLC members come over ground, then there will be no question of taking up the issue of withdrawal of ban on HNLC with the Centre.
