SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has reassured leaders of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) that both the Centre and state government are committed to facilitating “safe peace talks”.
Tynsong, holding the Home (police) portfolio, urged the HNLC not to doubt the government’s sincerity and extended an invitation for discussions outside Meghalaya if they feel insecure within the state.
Underlining the government’s openness, Tynsong on Wednesday proposed potential locations like Kolkata for the talks.
“I would request the top leaders to not harbour any doubts about the government. But if they feel it is not safe to talk within Meghalaya, we are ready to discuss in Kolkata or anywhere else,” Tynsong told the press.
He echoed the government’s serious intent for dialogue, addressing concerns raised by HNLC leaders in a recent statement.
ALSO READ Meghalaya govt urges HNLC’s top brass to join next round of tripartite peace talks
“I have read the HNLC’s recent statement. Unless we talk face to face and know what they really want, we will not reach anywhere,” Tynsong said.
He further reiterated the government’s stance during informal talks, even at his level, preceding the formal discussions.
During these interactions, both the Centre and the state government urged HNLC members to allow the talks to progress, he said.
The HNLC, seeking amnesty during the first tripartite talks in June, had deliberations revolving around the possibility of the government reconsidering dropping charges before advancing the peace process.
The outfit recently declared that its chairman and general secretary would not participate in peace talks unless all pending cases against them are withdrawn or a framework agreement for a ceasefire is signed.
Tynsong said that the government had, in previous meetings, invited the top leaders of HNLC to engage in talks whenever they were ready.
He questioned the outfit’s apprehensions, noting the government’s care for HNLC cadres for four months without arrests.
