Peace talks between the central and state governments and the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) ended in Shillong.
Representatives of the HNLC who had arrived in the State on August 5 returned to Bangladesh yesterday for further consultations before the second round of talks, HNLC interlocutor Sadon Blah, who is the president of a pressure group said today.
Five HNLC members—vice chairman Manbhalang Jyrwa, political secretary Aristerwell Thongni, and foreign secretary Phrangkupar Diengdoh including two of their bodyguards Aiborlem Marbaniang and Storgy Lyngdoh—took part in the peace talks with the central and state governments under protection of safe passage.
Blah said two rounds of talks were held during their stay in the capital in the presence of officials from the Union Home Minister, and government appointed interlocutor, Peter Dkhar.
“The talk was so far so good and now the HNLC members have gone back to Bangladesh to hold a central executive committee and general meetings and take a decision on the matter,” he said.
Blah said there were no terms and conditions laid between the two parties (governments and HNLC) but the first phase of the peace talks was on safe passage, security aspect and the pros and cons if other HNLC members attend the next round.
Stating that there are political issues that are pending for more than three decades that the HNLC wants to raise Blah said it is not appropriate to reveal as the talks have just started.
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.
Asked if the peace talks will be successful, he said, “As of today everything is on the right track right and everything went on smoothly.”
Blah further said that the chargesheet against four HNLC members will not disrupt the peace talks.
