No talks with GNLA: Centre
SHILLONG: The State Government, while stating that it is working on the modalities to facilitate talks with proscribed HNLC, has informed that the Centre has asked it not to hold any talks with the outlawed GNLA “because the latter is still involved in violence and illegal activities in Garo Hills region.”
In a statement issued here on Monday, a senior State Government official clarified that with the objective of ensuring peace and stability in the State, Government had made an appeal to all the militant outfits operating in the State to come overground and take advantage of the benefits under a re-vamped rehabilitation package.
Responding to this appeal, HNLC had expressed its willingness to enter into talks with Government and to work within the framework of Constitution of India, he said adding that the matter would be taken up with the Centre at an appropriate time once the necessary preparatory work is completed.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya police has also refuted the allegation that police department is opposing peace parleys with HNLC.
On holding talks with GNLA, the state government has said that it had written to the Centre the need of holding talks with the Garo outfit.
“The Centre has advised the State Government not to hold talk with it as its members are still very much active in carrying out violence and illegal activities in Garo Hills,” Under Secretary to the government of Meghalaya, in-charge Political department, B Khongwir said in a statement issued here.
The statement came in the wake of the GNLA threatened to carry out serial bomb blasts in Garo Hills region to protest against the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s initiative to hold talks with the outlawed HNLC
