SHILLONG, May 23: The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Tuesday said that amnesty for its members will be placed in the first formal tripartite talks.
It also said negotiations cannot be held without conditions while pointing out that the success of the talks, a process, cannot be guaranteed.
Informing reporters that a few rounds of deliberations were held earlier, the HNLC’s interlocutor, Sadon K. Blah said: “It was in a sense breaking the ice as we cannot go straight into the political demands of the organisation. In these four-five deliberations, we talked about safe passage for the leaders of the HNLC to be able to come to India and have face-to-face discussions.”
“Secondly, the deliberation was on amnesty because the peace process cannot move forward until and unless both the central and the state governments consider amnesty for all the members of the organisation,” he said at a press conference at the MeECL (IB).
The conference was also attended by HNLC vice-chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristarwell Thongni, and PSOs Storgy Lyngdoh and Raymond Lapang.
“About the safe passage, it was agreed about a year ago that all the participating leaders of the organisation can move freely for the peace process. As far as amnesty is concerned, we will place it during the first formal meeting to be held soon,” Blah said.
Proceeding with the talks would be difficult until and unless legal action against the HNLC members is waived, he said.
The technicalities of a ceasefire would also be discussed with the Union Home Ministry and the state government, he added.
Blah clarified a statement made by HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw recently. “What he meant was that we cannot guarantee whether the talks would be 100% successful or there would be speed breakers at certain points,” he said.
Blah outlined the issues to be taken up in the meeting. They include the “violation” of the Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement by the Centre, inner-line permit, influx, and development.
“Since its inception 35 years ago, the HNLC has focused on rectifying the mistakes relating to the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement,” he said, adding that these would be reviewed after the first formal talks.
Blah also said that the talks would not be unconditional. “There can be no negotiation if there is no condition,” he said.
Jyrwa said the purpose of the press conference was to update the people on the peace talks to be held in the first week of June.
