Come for peace talks while door is open: Prestone to HNLC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 25, 2025

SHILLONG, JAN 24: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Friday warned that a time will come when the door for peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) will be closed.

Reacting to a question on the HNLC’s failure to respond to the government’s repeated appeal for peace talks, Tynsong said, “If they (HNLC) don’t care to respond (to our request) what can I say but let me remind here that the appeal is not made by the state government alone, the appeal is also made by the central government. Therefore, there is still time and the door is still open for them to come back for peace talks.”

Having said that, the deputy CM however warned, “But time will come that the door will be closed and it will be very difficult for them also. Therefore, I urge them to think about it. Since the door is still open, it is better for them to come forward to the negotiating table.”

It has been more than a year since the HNLC had pulled out of the tripartite peace talks in January last year alleging the government’s failure to address their five core demands that include providing of general amnesty to its leaders and cadres.

Referring to the HNLC’s allegation that police are using surrendered cadres against the outfit and its movement as totally baseless and false, Tynsong said, “This is because we already have a 24×7 full-fledged force and which fully trained and competent and committed to ensure safety and security of each and every citizen of the state.”

Refusing to comment on the recent release of the HNLC’s manifesto, the deputy CM said, “It is for the people to judge but the state government’s responsibility is to ensure safety and security of citizens of the state and also people coming from outside including investors and also to ensure law and order is maintained at all times.”