SHILLONG, Feb 9: An upbeat state government on Wednesday began the task of appointing an interlocutor, virtually setting the ball rolling for peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma referred to the HNLC’s statement in the media and said that the government has already started going through different names for appointment as interlocutor.
He said that the government is looking to appoint an interlocutor with enough experience and understanding of the subject, he added.
Welcoming the HNLC offer, the CM said the government is awaiting a formal letter from the outfit expressing their desire of holding talks without any conditions.
Once the state government receives an official communication from the group, it will move the Centre to initiate the process. It may be recalled that the HNLC on Tuesday issued a statement saying it was ready to talk within the ambit of the Indian Constitution and without any preconditions.
The outfit, however, said the Standstill Agreement and the Instrument of Accession should not be included in the talks.
