SHILLONG, Feb 10: The state government on Thursday received the official communication from the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for holding peace parleys without any pre-condition.
Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui said the government came to know the HNLC was keen on talks and sought the appointment of an interlocutor for the purpose.
“The Chief Minister immediately held a meeting yesterday and said we should take a step forward after a formal communication from the outfit,” he said.
“The HNLC sent a letter to the Chief Minister today with a copy each to the Deputy CM and the Home Minister, reiterating their decision to hold peace talks. They also said an interlocutor should be appointed for the process to begin,” Rymbui said.
“We are communicating this to the Centre and the process of identifying an interlocutor has started,” he said.
He said the outfit did not set any precondition but declined to reveal the content of the letter. “We will come to know what is there and what is not once the peace process starts,” he added.
Stating that every government and every citizen wants peace, progress and development in the state, Rymbui said some misunderstanding or the other had derailed efforts to bring the outfit to the talks table in the past. “The stage is now set for the peace negotiations. The government is open to discussions within the parameters of the Constitution and the HNLC agrees to it,” he said, confident about solving the issue once and for all.