The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has requested the state government to order the police to suspend operations against the militant group.
In a press release today, the HNLC admitted that it had not declared a ceasefire but that it was serious about the nascent peace process and was ready to stop “military” operations.
The group acknowledged the “invaluable support” of the Meghalaya and central governments in carrying forward the peace process but said that it had yet to receive official communication from the state with regards to the appointment of interlocutors, namely retired civil servant Peter Dkhar and former police officer AK Mishra.
The HNLC has authorised its representative to meet the interlocutors and initiate a ‘Hynniewtrep Peace Committee’, which will comprise Church elders, prominent citizens and NGOs, that will ensure a “smooth functioning of the peace process”.
Meanwhile, the banned group asked for the police to suspend action against the HNLC, including arresting, raiding and “harassing our cadres” as this could derail the peace process.
