SHILLONG, JAN 7: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC)on Wednesday said it is seeking dialogues- a solution without shedding blood- through ‘political understanding’.
“When we say political solution it means that it can be achieved only through a ‘political dialogue’. Without any dialogue, simply surrendering will again take us 10 years back,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the HNLC’s main agenda for its willing to come forward for peace talks was to achieve a political solution to the burning problems.
Stating that it does not want to end up like the surrendered cadres, Nongtraw alleged that surrendered cadres along with the help of the police department were responsible for extortions and eliminations of their cadres.
“We do not want to take away the employment opportunities from our youths like the way the SHNLC cadres did,” he said while pointing out that the main objective of the HNLC is to contribute towards the development of the Khasi-Jaintia region and to give back to the society in return.
He also added that he does not see that the solution is the demobilization and disarmament of the HNLC. He further stated that the ‘formula of peace talks’ will fail miserably because the essence of the conflicts in the Hynñiewtrep was political and social and that gave rise to the armed uprising.
“We have to go to the cause that gave rise to this and seek solutions,” he said adding “Only then will we go to the heart of the matter to make changes and overcome the problems.”
While reiterating that the true way to move forward is by what he call a “political solution to our conflict,”, Nongtraw said, “This means that only through open dialogue, involving not only the HNLC and the government but also the most popular and diverse social expressions, will we be able to reach a responsible agreement to overcome the causes that produced the HNLC’s armed uprising.”
“Despite previously unsuccessful dialogues, we look today with expectations of the possibility of opening a serious and realistic path to peace, as is demanded by the majority,” he added
The HNLC also said that it had been patient all the while keeping in mind the promises made by the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for appointing an interlocutor to further the process of peace talks.
However it may be mentioned that the chief minister in his statements made earlier had maintained that the appointment of an interlocutor who will be facilitating the peace talks with the HNLC has to be decided jointly by both centre and state governments since the HNLC was a banned outfit.
Pointing that the government started peace talks with the ANVC since the year 2004 and ultimately the ANVC and ANVC-B after a gap of 10 years abandon path of violence , Nongtraw said, “We have no complaints to make but the state government should not treat us with this kind of step motherly attitude.”
Chief minister Mukul Sangma should try to understand the heart of the matter and simply being one sided will sow the seeds of disunity among the people of Meghalaya be it the Khasi Jaintia or Garo community, he stated
“We deserve to be treated equally as the HNLC was born out of ALMA and HALC,” the publicity secretary said while added that the Achik and the Hynñiewtrep should not be divided politically but they should remain united instead for a long lasting peace in the region.
The HNLC leadership expresses its thankfulness to the concerned political leaders Bindo M Lanong, Adelbert Nongrum, John Kharshiing and the Council of Traditional chiefs of the region for showing their concerns regarding the peace initiatives of the HNLC and the Government of Meghalaya(GOM).
It can be clearly understood that the masses have understood the perspective of peace talks and its importance, he said while stating this indicates that no matter what the cause the region stands united against all backdrops.- By Our Reporter
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