The Meghalaya and central governments will hold their first formal talks with members of the banned Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in June, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed today.
He also told reporters that Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong had met members of the militant group yesterday. These comprised the political secretary, vice-chairman, executive members and interlocutors.
A number of meetings at an unofficial level have taken place since last year between five members of the outfit with the central and state governments under protection of safe passage.
The HNLC’s interlocutor is Sadon K Blah, while the state government has appointed retired IAS officer Peter S Dkhar as its representative.
The rebel outfit had made its willingness to talk peace last year after a period where it had increased activity with a spate of improvised explosive device attacks, including in the state capital.