SHILLONG, March 13: The top leaders of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Sunday lauded the Centre and the state government for appointing interlocutors to carry forward the proposed peace initiative with the militant outfit.
“This is a positive step and we hope that the entire process would be taken up in letter and spirit. At the same time, we would like to convey that we are awaiting official communication from the state government with regard to the appointment of interlocutors, former IAS (officer) Peter S. Dkhar and retired IPS (officer) A.K. Mishra, who is currently the MHA adviser,” HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement.
Keeping in mind the various factors that would pave the way for a peaceful solution, he said that they have authorised a representative to meet the interlocutors and simultaneously initiate and form a Hynñiewtrep Peace Committee (HPC). Stakeholders, church elders, citizens and members of NGOs would be a part of the committee.
Nongtraw said the committee shall be confined to participating in an initiative to develop a new set of principles, standards and norms for structuring, sequencing and actualising the peace process.
“We appeal to the state government to instruct the police to suspend all activities including arresting, raiding and harassing our cadres and people just on mere suspicion of maintaining links with the HNLC,” he said.
The HNLC leader observed that harassing the outfit’s cadres could derail the entire process.
“We need to respect each other’s stand and also maintain a level of sincerity and trust. Even though we have not declared any kind of ceasefire, we are serious and we have put in efforts to end all kinds of violent activities as we had emphasised in our communique for the peace talks,” he said.
“It is high time for us to lay aside our prejudices and biases, to be able to find a common ground for peace to flourish,” Nongtraw said.
Asserting that it should now be the prerogative of the government to do the same, he said they are ready to stop all kinds of military action so as to enable a peaceful atmosphere.
“Bringing peace necessitates resolving conflicts, which is a complex task. Vested interests to derail the peace process, decades of a long-standing history of violence, lack of trust as well as communication, together shall make eliminating conflicts difficult. Let us get involved in a new path towards lasting peace,” Nongtraw said.