Conrad as CM is UDP’s biggest political mistake:HNLC

SHILLONG, SEPT 29: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has asked the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to pursue the demand for a separate Garo statehood.

The outfit at the same time also slammed the United Democratic Party (UDP) which is one of the biggest regional political parties in the state, for allegedly making a “big mistake” in making Conrad Sangma as the chief minister of the state.

This came as a reaction to the recent statement made by the chief minister while responding to the offer of the HNLC for ‘unconditional talks’ that the state government is ready for dialogues with militant outfits only if they lay down their arms.

“We urge Conrad Sangma to leave Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and to pursue the demand for a separate Garo statehood which is the long pending aspiration of his late father Purno A Sangma and the people of Garo Hills region,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

Stating that the HNLC is willing to lay down its arms, Nongtraw however said but only on condition that the point of sovereignty is included as the most important agenda for peace talks.

“After all peace not only confines to the absence of bloodshed but it also means ensuring economic and political freedom,” he said adding “The struggle of the HNLC is that we don’t want to be a state within a state and to also ensure separate existence. Therefore, we insist that sovereignty is a must in order for a nation to survive.”

Nongtraw further asked the state government to come out clear on the kind of assurance that it is going to give after the HNLC lay down its arms for talks.

The HNLC leader alleged that this is because of the fact that the government has failed to fulfill Agreed Text for Settlement signed with the disbanded Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and its breakaway faction ANVC.B even after four years.

“This (agreement) is just a ploy and eyewash of both the centre and state governments to mislead the leaders of the ANVC. Moreover the surrendering by the many Garo militant outfits also ended without any political dialogue,” he added.

On the present political scenario in Meghalaya, the HNLC said accused the UDP which is the main ally of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, for acting as a stumbling block for a leader from the Khasi Hills to become the chief minister of the state.

“The Garo are the political masters whereas our own people are voiceless and they are like political beggars. What is more interesting is the chief minister has been appointed by the UDP,” Nongtraw said.

Stating that the UDP till date has failed to produce Member of Parliament (MP) from Meghalaya, he said, “The appointment of Conrad Sangma as the chief minister from Garo Hills is the biggest political mistake of the UDP.”

The HNLC leader further added that the division among the regional political parties in the state had also led to a non-tribal legislator being elevated to prestigious post of an Assembly Speaker for the first time in the political history of the state.

By Our Reporter