Correspondent
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday held discussions with the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on the unconditional peace talks offered by the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) with the government.
Sangma held discussions with Union Home Secretary and other officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and informed the ministry about the letter received from the HNLC wherein they had expressed the desire to hold talks with both the central government and state government.
“It’s a welcome step (HNLC’s peace talk offer.) We have updated the MHA on these developments. Detailed discussion has been held on how to take this (proposal) forward. It was a positive meeting,” the Chief Minister said via a WhatsApp video.
Sangma said that more developments would be taking place in due course of time on the peace offer from the HNLC.
“In the next few days more development would take place,” the Chief Minister said.
The state government has shortlisted the names of people for appointment as an interlocutor for the peace talks.
Meghalaya BJP president Ernest Mawrie on Monday had also offered to mediate peace talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the banned HNLC.
Recently, the HNLC has offered to hold peace talks with the state and central government after claiming responsibility for the crude bomb blast triggered in Jaintia and Khasi hills region.
HNLC General Secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw, who is believed to be hiding in Bangladesh, had said that the proscribed outfit was “ready to hold peace talk within the ambit of the Indian constitution and without any pre-conditions”.
The outfit has been fighting for a sovereign homeland for the tribal Khasi population of Meghalaya.