By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 21: Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang on Tuesday reaffirmed that the Meghalaya Police will not allow the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to demonstrate its presence or capabilities through acts of violence or intimidation.
Her statement came in response to the recent incident in which a powerful IED was planted near the Meghalaya Rural Bank at Umsning Market.
Speaking to reporters, Nongrang said the act appeared to be an attempt by the outfit to assert its continued presence and operational strength.
“They may continue to try to demonstrate their presence and capability, but we are equally committed to ensuring that those capabilities are not allowed to be displayed,” she asserted.
At the same time, the DGP reiterated that the government remains open to dialogue and negotiation with the banned organisation.
“The government has made it clear that the door for dialogue and negotiation remains open for the HNLC,” she said, stressing that peaceful talks are still a viable path forward.
While acknowledging that the group has its own grievances, Nongrang emphasised that any resolution must occur within the constitutional framework.
“The HNLC must realise that unless there is a negotiated settlement within the framework of our system and our country, it will not work,” she said.
Her remarks follow a recent statement by the HNLC claiming that peace talks would be meaningless unless the government addressed core issues, including the inter-state boundary dispute.
