SHILLONG, Jan 4: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday reiterated that the authority to hold parleys with the banned militant outfit does not lie with the state government alone.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the deputy chief minister pointed out that the ban on the proscribed outfit was imposed by the Centre, while adding, “If it was within our jurisdiction, by this time negotiation or dialogue would have taken place”.
He said that the outfit should also show that they are serious to hold dialogues as there are no official documents to prove that they are serious for talks other than media reports.
“Show that you are sincere about holding dialogues,” he added.
On reports of threat that appeared in a section of the media (not The Shillong Times) issued by the HNLC to target family members of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui if the government continues to arrest ‘innocent youths’, Tynsong said, “I personally feel as a responsible citizen I should not take any special cognizance of those who threatened me. I don’t know for what and what is the reason or whether it is just for the sake of threatening”.
“I am elected by the people of the Pynursla Constituency, and I’m here because of their mandate as the Deputy Chief Minister and my commitment is to make sure I serve with sincerity and till my last breathe,” he added.
On allegations of having a share from truck loads of illegal coal, he reiterated, “If the allegations are substantiated, I am ready to resign even this month”.
