SHILLONG: In the wake of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) withdrawing from the peace process, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has appealed to the banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to reconsider its decision to withdraw from peace talks.
MPCC Chief and Lok Sabha MP Vincent Pala urged HNLC not to halt the peace-talks process, highlighting the significant implications these decisions hold for the state’s economy, people’s lives, and various other aspects within the state.
“The HNLC should engage in new negotiation if the existing ones have failed. They shouldn’t abandon but actively participate and contribute to the talks,” he told the press, on January 9.
He further expressed strong criticism towards both the Centre and the state government. Pala accused them of a lack of seriousness and failure to fulfill promises made in their manifestos.
“There is no seriousness on the part of the Centre and the state government. They make big promises in their (election) manifesto but in reality, they don’t care for the people of the Northeast,” he said.
He claimed that the Congress, during its previous governance, had successfully initiated peace in the region, but the efforts made then were allegedly squandered.
Regarding HNLC’s demand for amnesty, Pala urged the government to take proactive measures to find a solution through negotiations. He stressed that no demand should be considered impossible during discussions.
Accusing the BJP government of not respecting commitments in peace pacts, including those with rebel groups like ANVC, Pala labelled it as a failure.
Switching focus, Pala criticised the state government for its decision to introduce a large number of coke plants, alleging it was driven by greed.
He accused the government of spoiling the Jaintia Hills region for financial gains.
