By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 22: The state government has been non-committal about the primary demand of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to grant amnesty to its members while asking the outfit not to doubt the sincerity of the central and state governments.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday requested the HNLC not to move away from the peace process because of the demand as the government is ready to hold the talks even outside Meghalaya.
“I have read the HNLC’s recent statement. Unless we talk face to face and know what they really want, we will not reach anywhere,” he said.
The HNLC had sought amnesty during the first tripartite talks in June this year where the discussions revolved around whether the government can reconsider dropping the charges before the peace process finally moves on.
The outfit recently said its chairman and general secretary cannot be part of the peace talks unless all pending cases against them are withdrawn or a framework agreement for a ceasefire is signed.
“Both the state and central government are serious about talks. So many informal talks even up to my level happened before the formal talks held once, in which both the Centre and the state government requested the HNLC members to let the talks continue,” Tynsong, who holds the Home (police) portfolio said.
He said the government had during the last meeting asked the top leaders of the HNLC to come forward for talks whenever they are ready to. “Why are they apprehensive when we took care of their cadres for four months and arrested none?” he asked.
“I would request the top leaders to not harbour any doubts about the government. But if they feel it is not safe to talk within Meghalaya, we are ready to discuss in Kolkata or anywhere else,” Tynsong said.