SHILLONG, Sep 6: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed with him various issues concerning the state.
“I had updated the Home Minister on the ongoing peace talks with the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the second phase of border talks between Meghalaya and Assam,” Sangma told UNI over phone.
Five HNLC militant leaders led by their self-styled vice chairman, Manbhalang Jyrwa are already camping in the state to start the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and the state government.
Jyrwa is assisted by the outfit’s political secretary Aristerwell Thongni and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh including two of their personal security officers in the peace talks.
The members of the outfit had already held their first round of talks with the government officials last month.
“The process to begin the peace talks is going ahead and is on the right track. We are trying to speed up the process, but it’s complicated. We are trying to take into confidence all the stakeholders and we are confident of taking the peace talks to its logical conclusion,” the CM said.
With regard to the second phase of border talks with Assam, Sangma said the two neighbouring states would soon form three regional committees to resolve resolve issues regarding the remaining disputed areas.
On March 29, the chief ministers of the two states had signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of the Union Home Minister to resolve the differences in a 36.79 sq km area comprising Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata and Ratacherra out of the 12 disputed sites. (UNI)
