SHILLONG, AUG 13: On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has expressed that it is willing to come forward for “unconditional” peace talks with the government.
In statement issued here on Monday, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “We are ever ready to come forward for talks with the government but it should not be based on any conditions.”
Stating that the outfit continues to maintain that the Hynniewtrep land is not part of India, he said that the Government of India will never be able to resolve the problems by using gun power.
“The only way to resolve these problems is through dialogues otherwise the HNLC will not mind to continue with its struggles even if it takes us another 31 years,” he said.
Further, the banned Khasi rebet outfit also said that it would follow the footsteps of Wickliffe Syiem, the founder of Hynniewtrep nationalism, who had maintained that “It was not the wish of the indigenous people to be Indians but were forced to be citizens of India”.
Nongtraw said that instead of celebrating the Independence Day; the traditional institutions should instead observe August 15 as ‘Wickliffe Syiem Day’. Wickfliffe was born on August 15, 1909.
Alleging that Meghalaya despite of getting its own statehood is yet to achieve “political freedom”, he said, “The state still has to depend on the Centre government for making laws for the state which has only 3 MPs. We have also seen that when the Assembly or the District Council wanted to make any law, the final decision has to be taken by the Governor to ensure that such laws are not in conflict with the Central laws.”
The HNLC leader also alleged the Centre government of depriving the rights of the indigenous community as underlined by the Untied Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“We will continue to fight for our rights as the indigenous community needs to be given recognition as a nation. It is also high time that our historical rights and mother tongue should be recognized,” he said.
Nongtraw also said that U Tirot Sing Syiem and U Kiang Nangbah should also be given due recognition as the freedom fighters of the indigenous community.
Admitting that the outfit is facing a lot of difficulties due to the surrendering of its cadres as well as cadres who were killed and arrested in the past, the HNLC publicity secretary however claimed that the outfit is gaining its strength financially.
“As of today, we are in a better position in term of finance, cadre strength and the ability to buy new weapons,” he said while adding that outfit is willing to welcome the youth to join the outfit since the HNLC is also a voluntary organization.
Meanwhile, the HNLC also extended its gratefulness to the family members of all its cadres especially those who have passed away.
By Our Reporter
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