The outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) is no longer interested in peace talks but on a warpath as it gave the call to arms on its 34th anniversary.
The outpouring of anger after the controversial killing of its surrendered former general secretary, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew in a police operation seems to have given its campaign a boost.
In an email statement to mark its anniversary, HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “It looks like peace will not return in our community after the police mercilessly took the life of bah Che, who wanted to bring the government and the HNLC to reach an understanding through peace talks. There are hidden agendas behind the killing and it has always been the policy of the government to eliminate our leaders. We will no longer expect peace because the government wants bloodshed…We will reply with bloodshed.”
Nongtraw also demanded reparations from the Central government for the Khasi jaitbynriew (community) and said it will not surrender nor accept the rehabilitation package.
Stating that the government has time and again invited them for talks and a call to be benefitted from the rehabilitation scheme, he said, “I want to make it clear that by no means we will surrender nor lay our hands on the rehabilitation package but we want the government of India to give reparations for the 74 years of aggression committed on the Jaitbynriew Hynñiewtrep.”
Nongtraw stated that the outfit is getting stronger as many youth have joined it. “These youth who have joined us are not poor or unemployed as alleged by RG Lyngdoh but they are youth who knows what is happening globally,” he said.
Swearing on “Hynñiewtrep Nationalism” as the HNLC’s “gospel” the HNLC general secretary said, “We have created sleeper cells and we will soon awaken them. We will not stop terrorising until we achieve independence for the jaitbynriew.”
The HNLC also claimed that they had sent letter to politicians. “Those who have received our letter should pay taxes as these politicians are not leaders of the jaitbynriew but mere puppets working for the benefit of the government of India,” Nongtraw added.
