Shillong: With peace talks with the outlawed Hynniewtrep National
Liberation Council or HNLC at an advanced stage, a local court here has summoned the
outfit’s general secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw, to appear before it later this
month, said officials.
Police pasted the court order outside the residence of Nongtraw at
Sohra (erstwhile Cherrapunjee) in which the outfit’s leader and spokesperson
was directed to appear before it on September 20.
He was charged in a case at Sohra PS, the details of which were not
divulged by police.
In a statement, the HNLC condemned the summons and said such action
could hamper the tripartite peace talks.
“This is not the first time when HNLC leaders, including the
chairman and finance secretary, have been summoned during informal discussions.
Such actions not only undermine our trust in the government but also have the
potential to hinder and disrupt the efforts towards achieving a lasting
resolution,” said Nongtraw.
The general secretary said the outfit is “deeply concerned” about
the double standards of the government.
“The State Government demanded my attendance at a meeting with a
strict deadline of September 30, while the MHA, on the other hand, specifically
targets all senior leaders of HNLC to appear in person,” he said.
Nongtraw added the leaders and cadres will not come out openly
until our political demands are met.
“We urge the government to hold talks with the delegation
authorised by the HNLC central executive committee led by the vice-chairman,”
he said.
The HNLC remains the only armed militant group active in Meghalaya
although militancy has been declining in this hill State over the years barring
in 2020-21 when the outfit was behind IED blasts in the State.
