Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today held a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi to discuss the peace talks offer made by the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
The HNLC through a letter to the State government had conveyed its willingness to participate in unconditional talks to resolve their demands within the parameters of the Constitution.
Terming the meeting as a positive step, the chief minister in a video statement said, “We have updated the Government of India and MHA on these developments and detailed discussion on how to take this forward have also been discussed. But it is not appropriate for me to share those details at this point in time.”
“More positive development expected to take place in the next few days,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the HNLC had previously been resolute on its demand for any negotiations to include the subjects of the Standstill Agreement and Instrument of Accession and Annexation, which brought the erstwhile Khasi states into the Indian Union following independence in 1947.
Sangma quoted by PTI also said the central government has held peace talks with several groups in the Northeast and solutions were found.
He said peace and development should go together as this was the approach of the central government.
