Peace talks between the government and outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) will take place once certain background tasks are complete, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed today.
“Once the entire atmosphere, coordination and discussion have taken place, only then will the official discussions start,” he said.
An interlocutor – retired IAS officer Peter Dkhar – has been appointed and the militants have also nominated their representative.
Dkhar has begun the process of bringing various individuals together to be involved in the negotiations, the CM said. He maintained that he sees that both sides are taking positive steps and hopes that these will continue to progress.
Meanwhile, Sangma also welcomed the steps taken by the central government to roll back, at least partially, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the North East.
Sangma recently campaigned heavily, as National People’s Party president, against AFSPA ahead of Manipur’s recent state elections.
Today, the Centre announced a reduction in the number of so-called disturbed areas in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, thereby removing AFSPA from these places.
“This has been a very long-pending issue for the people of the North East region and this step will surely lead to a positive message to the people,” Sangma said, adding that AFSPA is an act that has gone beyond its time and never achieved its objectives in any case and should therefore be repealed completely.
