The State government is still open to the idea of holding peace talks with the banned HNLC which had left the talk midway earlier this year.
Speaking to media persons here today, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said that the door is still open for HNLC and it is up to the outfit to take a call.
“We are still inviting them to come to the table. If possible, even rethink and recall your decision,” Tynsong said.
However, Tynsong made it clear that if the HNLC is not interested in talks, then the law of the land will have to prevail.
When asked about the investigation into the recent IED blast at Them Iew Mawlong here, the deputy chief minister said that investigation is on to find out if more people are involved in the blast.
“The government will make sure that everybody is safe,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the HNLC after having one round of peace talks with the government, recently backed out of the talks over its demand of general amnesty being unmet.
Within months of the withdrawal from the talk process, an IED blast was carried out in Them Ïew Mawlong. The HNLC had claimed responsibility for the same.
Later, Ri-Bhoi police had also busted a sleeper cell of the outfit which was planning to carry out similar blasts in Nongpoh and Shillong .
Police also arrested HNLC cadre Storgy Lyngdoh for allegedly serving extortion notes to several businessmen.
