HNLC urges people to support bandh

SHILLONG, OCT 19: On the twenty-fifth death anniversary of Wickliff Sing Syiem, the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has urged the Hynniewtrep people to cooperate and understand the outfit stand and accordingly extend support with its 36-hour bandh call starting from 6 am on October 21 till 6 pm on October 22.

President Pranab Mukherjee will be making his maiden visit to Shillong on October 21 and is schedule to address the Meghalaya assembly and also attend the convocation ceremony of the North Eastern Hills Council (NEHU) during his two days visit.

In a press statement issued on Saturday evening, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said the boycott decision was taken in order to confront with the lackadaisical attitude of the Indian government to hold peace talks with the HNLC in order to resolve the Hynniewtrep national question.  He said the situation today is the result of the egoistic attitude of the congress leaders and the government should take up the responsibility of unrest in the Hynniewtrep land.

Nongtraw said the outfit had stood upon the principle of preserving the people of Hynniewtrep and its land from the clutches of the government of India.

Nongtraw also said that the outfit sends an open invitation to all the ngos leaders and its members who are being hunted by the police to come and join the council and fight for the welfare of the Hynniewtrep through armed struggle.

Nongtraw said the status of the ngos and the outfit is all the same now and both should stand together and fight for the Hynniewtrep cause. He said the outfit doors are always open provided that the ‘Jaidbynriew’ becomes the primary concern.
Nongtraw also said that the outfit is not against the students’ community but in fact the state government is using them as scapegoats to counter the diktats of the council.

Nongtraw also warned the non-indigenous people, including government servants and businessmen to adhere to the boycott of the outfit or face the consequences. He said this is a serious matter and the HNLC will deal with it seriously.

Nongtraw also clarified that the HNLC is not against the interest of the labourers nor the daily wage earners but stands for the entire Hynniewtrep people even as it questioned the ICARE leaders as to why voices are not raised against the corrupt government officials who according to him are engaged in swindling poor people money, schemes including livelihood.

The statement asked the ICARE to raise their voice against municipal officers who according to Nongtraw even dared to kick the Hynniewtrep vegetables vendors. He asked them not apply double standards, but come forward and lend a hand to save the Hynniewtrep from extinction.- By Our Reporter