Five members of the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) will take part in the peace talks with the central and state governments under protection of safe passage.
A press release today from the outfit said that three senior members bearing elaborate titles – vice-chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristerwell Thongni and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh – will will accompanied by two of their so-called personal security officers – Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh.
The state government had last month offered safe passage for HNLC leaders who would take part in the talks in person. The HNLC thanked the government for the safe passage but said that its representatives should not be kept in anything that resembles imprisonment while they are taking part in the talks.
The rebel group said that it has decided to send some of its top leaders due to the trust that has been built between the HNLC and the interlocutors – AK Mishra from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Peter Dkhar from the state government and HNLC representative Sadon Blah, who is the president of a pressure group.
The HNLC said that previous attempts at peace failed but it was confident that the initiative of the state and central governments this time will work out.
