By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Centre has ruled out immediate possibility of talks with both the Garo Hills-based GNLA and Khasi Hills-based HNLC.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, the Joint Secretary, North East, Ministry of Home Affairs Shambu Singh, who participated in Saturday’s meeting with both the factions of ANVC, said that since the Centre had declared GNLA as a terrorist organization, the security forces will go hard on them and possibility talks with the outfit does not arise.
“The GNLA is a terrorist organization. We are not talking to them as their main intention is to extort money”, Singh said.
Asked about HNLC, Singh said,” I am not bothered about HNLC and we are not even inviting them for talks”.
In the past, the State Government had made appeals to the GNLA to come forward for talks, but in vain as the militant outfit went ahead with many violent activities including extortions, kidnapping and killings.
As far as HNLC is concerned, the Centre is not keen to hold talks as over the years, the activities of the militant outfit had been neutralized, an official said.
There were reports of HNLC re grouping to show their presence felt during the upcoming Assembly elections, but the Meghalaya police asserted that they would be keeping vigil.
