SHILLONG: The banned militant outfit, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), has criticised the state government for playing games over talks while asserting it is not averse to peace if the state government opens the door and appoints a mediator.
In a statement issued here, general secretary-cum-publicity secretary of HNLC Sainkupar Nongtraw questioned the intention of the government to ask the outfit to surrender with arms before initiating peace talks.
“If the state government is ready for unconditional talks, why does it need to direct us to surrender with arms and then begin the peace talks? This is foolishness,” he said.
The outfit has again asked the state government to appoint a mediator, suggesting the person could either be their former general secretary, Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew, or anyone else deemed fit by the government.
He said the HNLC is ready for talks, but maintained that peace talks should not compel them to go to the streets, stage black-flag protests or hunger strike in front of the Secretariat which will eventually send them back to militancy.
Nongtraw also pointed to the Centre’s inability to bring different militant outfits to the negotiation table, which has led to violent situations in Kashmir, Manipur or Assam.
With condemnation of the Pulwama attack pouring in, he said there was no opposition to Indian soldiers committing genocide and mass rapes while pointing out that Irom Sharmila’s fast was against such atrocities of the Indian army.
Turning to Meghalaya, Nongtraw said there were no comments from prominent people on harassment of Khasi people by the Assam Police.
