‘Be sincere for peace talk’

SHILLONG, FEB 16: Mawhati Independent legislator Julius Dorphang on Tuesday urged the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to take advantage of the opportunity (peace-talks) by being sincere. “I urged my fellow friends in the HNLC to be sincere and honest. They should take advantage of this opportunity,” said Dorphang, who is also a former chairman of the outfit.

The former militant leader, who surrendered before the state government, said that he was happy to learn that the HNLC leaders have expressed their interest for peace-talks.

Hailing the decision of the state government to open what he called as ‘window of opportunity’, Dorphang reiterated, “What is needed is for the cadres and leaders of the outfit to be sincere and honest to ensure that peace is restore back.”

“It is time to solve the battle face to face rather than solving it by taking up arms. There is a time to fight and there is a time to talk,” Dorphang asserted. When asked, he said, “I had decided to surrender because I have my own personal issues… But the present leaders should take this offer as an opportunity.”

Recently, the state government had submitted the names of two interlocutors for facilitating peace talks with the HNLC, for approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

In response to this, the HNLC had in a statement issued recently also expressed its willingness to come forward for peace dialogue with the centre and state government.

In 2014, the HNLC had offer unilateral ceasefire with the government.

When asked, Dorphang claimed that the outfit during his leadership had also mooted for a unilateral ceasefire with the government. “Interlocutors were also about to be appointed to facilitate the ceasefire stage by stage, but it went in vain,” he said while refusing to disclose the reasons that led to failure of the outfit’s move for peace talks.

Meanwhile, the state government had maintained that it is willing to initiate talks with any militant outfits including the HNLC and GNLA provided that they abjure the path of violence.-By Our Reporter