The Meghalaya government is still open to resuming talks with the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said today.
Peace talks between the government and the militant group broke down in January 2024.
Tynsong, who is in charge of the Home Department, stressed that the door to talks with the HNLC is still open and the government is ready to talk to the rebels if they want to come forward.
The banned outfit withdrew from the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and the state governments and reiterated its stand to continue with the armed struggle.
The Deputy CM’s remarks came after the surrender of two members of the HNLC recently. Tynsong said their decision to surrender was because they understood that being in the outfit would not lead anywhere. The two claimed that while in Bangladesh they were employed in agricultural duties rather than actual militancy.
Tynsong urged other members of the HNLC to surrender, talking about the benefits of coming back to be a part of mainstream society.
On the HNLC’s threat yesterday to the owner of Economic Pharmacy, Tynsong promised that the government will protect the residents and ensure that the law stands firm. “No one can take the law into their own hands. Let the law stand. Whether it is the HNLC or anyone else who makes such threats, the government is here to protect them,” he said. The HNLC had issued its threat after accusing the pharmacy owner of harassing female Khasi street vendors located outside the premises of his establishment.
