HNLC opts for talks

Headlines Vol. 3 Issue No. 29

June 7-21, 2005

HNLC opts for talks

With ceasefire continuing with the banned ANVC in Garo Hills, the other proscribed outfit HNLC--active in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya--has given the green signal for truce.However, the Centre is yet to react to the offer formally. Prominent church leader Rev. P B M Basaiawmoit, who was authorised to rope in the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, has said the processs was stuck in ''protocol and technicalities'' and hoped that soon the Prime Minister would acknowledge the positive
response of the outfit.

Rev. Basaiawmoit in a statement today said here that the top brass of the outfit had agreed to a ceasefire prior to dialogue.
The militant group has given some conditions, including their demand for talks to be held outside the country. They also wanted a formal invitation either from the Prime Minister or from the Union Home Minister.Rev Basaiawmoit who is also the spokesperson of the Joint Peace Mission for Churches of the North East region said the MHA, through the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB), authorised him to make contact with the HNLC leaders to find out whether they were willing
to come to the negotiation table with the Centre.

According to the statement just after Christmas last year the HNLC leaders expressed their willingness to accept the offer for
peace negotiation by the Centre and the matter was conveyed to the Centre through the Union Minister of State for Home and other top officials of the Ministry on January 16. Rev Basaiawmoit had gone to Delhi on February eight to hold preliminary discussions with Home Ministry Officials.The six points set by the MHA were that the militant outfit should be willing to hold talks within the purview of the Indian Constitution before signing a ceasefire agreement; there should be cessation of armed hostilities between the two sides the state government should be part of the peace process; ceasefire agreement should be signed by both parties but it should be a bi-partite agreement; the Government will extend safe passage to the HNLC
leaders who would be involved in a dialogue and both parties should keep everything under the wraps till a formal ceasefire agreement is signed.

Even the HNLC also placed six conditions and conveyed the same to the Centre. The church leader said the official response from the director level of the Home Ministry has irked the outfit for they were expecting a reply from the the PM or the Union Home Minister.

He said he had written to the PMO regarding the latest development on May four.The six points set the HNLC included ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the outfit; the ban imposed on the organisation be lifted; talks to be held in a neutral country with passage to the members, supporters and sympathisers; the HNLC should be allowed to appoint eminent persons as its emissary and the agenda for talks must be open. The Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which mainly operates in Garo Hills has already signed a peace truce with the government.

Meghalaya| North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page |

Your Visit No

Since April 20, 2000