‘Invite HNLC for talk’

SHILLONG, AUG 18: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) executive committee member PT Sawkmie urged the state government to consider extending peace talks offer to the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) which has expressed its willingness to come under a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

“The HNLC has responded positively to the call made by  chief minister Mukul Sangma in his Independence Day address,” Sawkmie told reporters on Monday..  He said since the outfit has expressed its willingness to come forward, now it is the duty of the state government to give an official invitation to pave the way for dialogue and bring long lasting peace and tranquility.

According to Sawkmie, people of the Khasi Jaintia region and state as a whole are longing for peace and tranquility in the state as they have experienced the impact of militancy before. “We don’t want that the Khasi Jaintia region to be like Garo Hills,” he said pointing the spade of kidnapping, killings, extortions which has compelled the government servants to refrain from getting posted in the five districts of Garo hills.

Sawkmie reiterated that it is time for the government to take the call of outfit seriously and call them for talks because it is only through dialogue that differences can be sorted out. He also urged stakeholders including different social organizations to also request the state government on the need to extend invitation for dialogue to the HNLC.- By Our Reporter