SHILLONG, Aug 25: Five top cadres of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) are in the city to initiate the tripartite peace talks with the central and state government.
The outfit’s vice chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristerwell Thongni and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh and two of their personal security officers – Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh ¬– are staying at the inspection bungalow of the MeECL at Sumer.
HNLC representative Sadon K Blah on Thursday said the five members of the outfit arrived in the state on August 5.
Blah, who is also the president of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, said the five had been named by the outfit as their representative for the peace talks in a release issued on August 2.
Blah said the HNLC leaders had an informal meeting with government interlocutor Peter S Dkhar. The Centre and state government granted a safe passage to the HNLC militant leaders, hiding in Bangladesh, following three rounds of meetings between Dkhar and members of the outfit.
Replying to a query, Blah said the modalities for the formal peace talks will be discussed after which the talks will officially begin.
“The central and the state government will examine the various demands of the HNLC once the official talks begin,” Blah said, adding that the date for the formal talks will be decided by the three parties.
Blah asserted that the state government, after granting safe passage, is now providing security to all the HNLC leaders.
Asked about the ceasefire, Blah said it will come at a later stage.
