Proposed peace talks with HNLC on track

SHILLONG, JAN 23:  The state government is yet to zero down on the interlocutor for starting the proposed peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council-HNLC- even as Meghalaya additional chief secretary KS Kropha –in-charge home department- said the exercise is on and the proposed peace talks with the banned outfit has not been abandoned.

The HNLC had expressed its willingness for a dialogue with the state government after chief minister Mukul Sangma had innumerable times said militant groups must eschew violence and instead come forward for dialogue to resolve their grievances.

Responding to the chief minister, the HNLC had said that it was willing to sit down for a dialogue with the state government. The government had initiated process for identifying interlocutor but it not moved forward.

The HNLC had alleged that the state police were not happy with the state government’s initiative to hold dialogue with the outfit but Meghalaya Inspector General of Police –operation- GHP Raju had rebutted saying that the police were not against the proposed moved of the state government.

Kropha informed that the state government had identified some people who could fit in the interlocutor role but the government has not finalized it. He, however, refuse to divulge the names shortlisted by the government.

Once the name of the interlocutor is finalized the union government will be taken into confidence and the process for the peace parley with the HNLC can kick-start.

Meanwhile the HNLC has called for twenty-four hour bandh to oppose the Republic Day celebration. The bandh will begin from Sunday evening till Monday evening.- By Our Reporter