SHILLONG, Jan 3: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Wednesday announced its decision to withdraw from the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and the state government, stating that the demand for general amnesty to its cadres was not met.
In a letter to Centre’s interlocutor AK Mishra, the HNLC’s self-styled chairman and commander-in-chief Bobby Marwein said, “We deeply regret to inform you that we are reluctantly withdrawing ourselves from the peace talks with your government. This decision has been made due to the unfortunate circumstance that our general demands have not been met.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we witness the peace process reaching such a critical point,” he said in the letter whose copy was also sent to Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy CM in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong.
The HNLC’s general secretary cum publicity secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw said the decision was in response to the government’s lack of seriousness in addressing the core demands of the group.
He said these demands were first submitted to the Centre by the late Chesterfield Thangkhiew on January 16, 2021.
“Despite our efforts to reiterate and emphasise our demands through our intermediary, Sadon Blah, the government has shown a complete lack of attention toward our general demands. Our political demands have not yet been tabled, primarily due to the inflexibility displayed by the government,” he said.
Highlighting the general demands of the banned outfit, Nongtraw said the first demand was the removal of the ban on the organisation. The Centre declared the HNLC as an unlawful association in November 2000 under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
“The ban impedes our ability to engage in peaceful negotiations,” he said.
“Our second demand was the withdrawal of all pending cases against our leaders and cadres in both lower and higher courts throughout the state, with special attention to the cases in Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills. Resolving these cases will contribute to a more conducive environment for dialogue,” Nongtraw said.
The third demand was to ensure a safe passage for the HNLC’s central leaders, which would have fostered trust and enabled the outfit’s participation in the peace talks, he said.
“Our fourth demand was to purpose the appointment of authorised representatives who can effectively communicate and facilitate the negotiation process. Streamlining communication channels through designated representatives will help expedite the talks,” Nongtraw said.
The fifth demand was the release of all HNLC cadres and individuals suspected of being associated with it from jail.
“This demand was previously conveyed through our interlocutor. However, it is important to note that only our third and fourth demands were granted by the government out of these five demands,” he said.
Nongtraw further stated that they have repeatedly communicated, both through the media and to the interlocutors and the government, urging them not to issue any summons that could incite further tension.
“Unfortunately, our requests have not been heeded, and the situation continues to escalate unnecessarily,” he said.
“After the first phase of the tripartite peace talks with the state government and the Centre, our delegation returned to our camp on September 16, 2022, to hold the General Council and the CEC discussions in response to the demand by the Government of India that all HNLC leaders come over ground and participate in the peace talks,” he said.
The outfit decided that the government would only engage in discussions with a delegation of the group under the leadership of the vice-chairman until both parties reach an agreement to sign the ceasefire agreement.
“In the subsequent phase, the government, under the guidance of the vice-chairman, agreed to convene an informal meeting. However, unexpectedly, during the initial formal talks, I, as the general secretary, was pressured by the government to be present at the upcoming formal talks,” Nongtraw said.
Adding insult to injury, the government’s double standards became evident when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) summoned him, the chairman, and the finance secretary despite the ongoing informal talks, he said.
“Furthermore, after the first formal meeting, the state issued another notice summoning me, contrary to the assurances given by the Government of India and the state government to refrain from issuing summons or arresting our leaders and members during the peace process,” he said.
Stating that despite the risks that the outfit’s designated leaders and personal security officers took to participate in the talks, Nongtraw said the government cannot hold the HNLC responsible for resorting to violence if the government refuses to provide an opportunity for peace.
According to him, in order to uphold the peace process, they had actively stopped all illegal activities.
Nongtraw, however, said it is regrettable that the government did not give due consideration to the group’s concerns.
“We deeply lament the failure of the peace talks. While we have demonstrated flexibility by engaging in discussions within the framework of the Indian constitution, it is the government that remains rigid in its stance. Such an attitude and policy will only exacerbate the situation moving forward,” he said.
“The time of waiting and the era of patience are finally over; now is the moment to kick back and embrace relentless aggression,” Nongtraw said, adding that general amnesty would involve the withdrawal of all cases against the HNLC members, including the NIA case against for if its top leaders.
Since its formation almost three decades ago, the outfit has carried out armed attacks, bomb blasts, and other unlawful activities, resulting in the injury and death of scores of civilians and armed personnel in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
