Shillong ( Meghalaya ), Aug 3 : The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC ) in a press statement on Wednesday said that it has authorised its Vice Chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, Political Secretary Aristerwell Thongni, and Foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh including two of their Personal Security officers,Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh to participate in the ongoing Tripartite Peace talks between the Govt of India, Govt of Meghalaya and the HNLC.
A press statement issued by Saińkupar Nongtraw,General Secretary cum Publicity Secretary of the outifit, said since the year 2004 the agenda of peace talks were initiated but it did not materialise, in spite of the Congress party being in power at the state as well as the centre.
Again in the year 2014 as per the request made by Ex Governor of Meghalaya RS Moosahary to come forward to the negotiating table, the HNLC accepted the offer to come forward but subsequently the same congress government failed to reciprocate .
The statement , added that this time the HNLC is positive about the initiative taken by the MDA government as well the approval made by the NDA government at the centre. For the last few months the talks have been heading towards the right direction due to the cooperation extended by both the GOM and the GOI.
The decision to send our top leaders to engage in the ongoing peace talks is due to the trust that has been built between the HNLC and the appointed interlocutors AK Mishra, Ministry of Home affairs(Retd IPS), Peter Dkhar(Retd IAS), HNLC representative Sadon Blah and the HNYF.
The statement thanked the government for providing a safe passage to HNLC leaders and and hoped that the safety and security of the leaders shall not be compromised.
‘Our leaders should feel safe and comfortable and that their stay in the appointed locations as provided by the government should not result in house arrest kind of an atmosphere’,the statement said .
As long as the peace process is in progress, the HNLC is determined to make it happen, and would not leave any stone unturned and hopes for a positive outcome. But in case of any eventuality whereby the peace talks fails , the leaders should be allowed to return safe and sound to their respective location headquarters as per the discussions held with the government.
The statement ended by stating that the HNLC is committed to the peace talks and hopes and expects the same kind of commitment from the government and hoped that the peace process would be expedited at the earliest and a step towards a political solution would be arrived at. So as to ensue peace and tranquility in the State.
