Inviting Prestone for talks cannot be taken as official: Meghalaya Dy.CM to HNLC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 13, 2024

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong Tuesday said the Government of India is still opening the door for talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said, “Therefore, we are still inviting them (HNLC) on behalf of the state government to please not discontinue the peace talks.”

He said, “Again, I also requested resume talks, the door is open. Think about it again, please be mature and think about the future.”

Tynsong also termed the recent social media post by the HNLC as a drama. He said, “As I have clarified earlier, I will again clarify if you (HNLC) are afraid – because they expressed senior most leaders including chairman or commander-in-chief may not be willing to come due to fear of getting arrested, that also we have given an assurance that we will give a safe passage and if you want to discuss at a location not in Meghalaya, that also we are open, we say they propose the location. But when I said this, it is not for them to write in the social media that we are inviting Prestone for talks because that cannot be taken as official. Officially, it is not Prestone, who is inviting them. It is the Government of India and the state government which are inviting the talks with the HNLC.”