A day after the Union Home Ministry extended the ban on the HNLC for another five year, the Khasi underground outfit said that it was “not at all surprised by the government’s decision”.
“This move reflects the ongoing suppression of our legitimate political expression and the stifling of our struggle for self-determination,” HNLC general secretary Saiñkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued today.
Nongtraw said that the narrative propagated by the government portraying the HNLC as a “spent force” with merely 10-15 active members, reflected a “gross underestimation of our strength and influence”.
“However, your own records expose this narrative as misleading, with 73 HNLC members arrested to date and the number continuing to grow. Furthermore, the fact that only three members have surrendered over the past five years underscores the HNLC’s resilience and enduring commitment to its cause. This also highlights a growing ideological alignment among the youth, who increasingly recognise that armed resistance remains a viable path to challenge and dismantle the oppressive Indian system,” Nongtraw added.
The HNLC leader said the government’s invitation for peace talks is nothing more than a calculated move to serve its own interests.
“The real objective behind this gesture is to weaken, demoralise, infiltrate, and manipulate us — to undermine our movement and dismantle our cause while pretending to seek peace. This is not about genuine reconciliation but about neutralising us and suppressing our struggle,” he said.
