SHILLONG, March 11: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MLA who is also the leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr.Mukul Sangma said that once a decision for peace has been taken, it is important to have mutual trust.
Dr.Mukul Sangma stated this on being queried on the readiness of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to come forward and agreeing to have a peace talk without conditions. The Government has also appointed Peter S.Dkhar, IAS (Retd) as an interlocutor for the purpose.
Speaking with the leader of the Opposition today, he said that he has spoken with the Government to be cautious in ensuring that whatever action is taken by Government does not create problems or lead the members of the outfit to doubt the Government while adding that once a decision to move forward with the peace talk has been taken there should not be any doubts anymore.
Furthermore, he said that once a decision has been taken to appoint an interlocutor for the peace talk with any militant outfit, it means that the Indian Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved as the State Government on its own cannot go ahead with this.
He also said that the decision of the HNLC to agree to a peace talk without conditions has paved the way for this, which is a good move on the part of the HNLC.
Dr.Mukul Sangma who is a former Chief Minister also said that after 2014 when the Tripartite Agreement was signed with the Central Government, the State Government, and the ANVC, several new militant outfits emerged including also the GNLA which created much terror. He said that this is a very complicated matter, therefore it cannot be taken for granted and no action be taken that could lead to the youths losing hope.
