Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong reiterated that the top leaders of the Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) should take part in the peace talks and promised a safe passage.
“This time we really wanted to reach the conclusion. Therefore we requested (top HNLC leadership) to come and we assure you if you want to come, safe passage will be given. If you feel that it is not safe within Meghalaya, we are ready to talk anywhere else be it Kolkata or any other place,” Tynsong told reporters.
Stating that since the government had asked the HNLC to communicate its decision on the government’s request for its top leaders to be present for the next round of peace talks, Tyngsong said, “The moment you are ready, please come back and the door is open for talks.”
He said both the central and state governments are “open-minded” and serious about the peace talks going forward.
On November 17, HNLC chairman and commander-in-chief Bobby R. Marwein and general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said that they would not take part in the next round of talks unless the government dropped all pending cases against them and signed a ceasefire agreement.
The outfit also said that its chairman or general secretary cannot participate in the talks since it had officially entrusted newly appointed vice chairman Teimiki Laloo with overseeing the talk process and evaluating its progress.
However, the Deputy Commissioner said without a face-to-face dialogue the talks it will not reach anywhere.
He said the government was sincere as their (HNLC) safety was ensured during the initial round of talk. “I request the top leaders of the HNLC don’t have any kind of apprehension, don’t have any doubts we are sincere both the state and the central governments,” he stated.
