SHILLONG, Dec 2: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the summoning of four Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) leaders by the special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would not impact the peace talks with the banned outfit.
“The investigations by the NIA are at a different level and it does not have a direct enough connection with the talks. The purpose of having official talks is to ensure that the complications do not come up,” Sangma told reporters on Friday.
On Wednesday, the HNLC reacted sharply to the “surprise summons” at a time when the tripartite peace process is underway.
The NIA had through a lookout notice published in local newspapers summoned the HNLC leaders, including Bobby Marwein, Marius Rynjah and Sainkupar Nongtraw. The quartet was asked to appear before the NIA special judge on January 4, 2023.
The CM said the government will bring the summoning issue to the notice of the Union Home Ministry and other agencies.
“We will try to find out how to move forward in this. But as I said, these are different cases being investigated at different levels and for different reasons that have nothing to do with the peace talks,” Sangma said.
When asked about his predecessor Mukul Sangma questioning the peace process, he said the previous government did not take steps to usher in peace.
“This could have been done in the past. But nonetheless, the present government has moved forward with the talks that cannot take place without discussing with the central government,” the CM said.
He said he had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
“We are regularly in touch with senior officials of the ministry and coordinating the entire process,” Sangma added.
