SHILLONG, March 01: The Minister incharge of the Home Department in Meghalaya, Lahkmen Rymbui said that the State Government has forwarded names of people shortlisted as interlocutors to the Home Ministry of the Government of India for the peace talk between the Government and the proscribed outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), and also informed that the Ministry is yet to give a response.
He said that the Chief Minister,Conrad Kongkal Sangma will be going to Delhi for the discussion on the Border Resolution with the Ministry of Home Affairs and perhaps in this visit he may also discuss on this matter to speed up the process of the peace talk.
On being asked, Rymbui refused to divulge the names of persons forwarded by the Government to the Government of India, however he did say that the names of persons sent are most likely to be approved by the Central Government and the State Government. The Minister further stated that the process will be a step by step process with the resolution of the one at forefront to be tackled first followed subsequently by talks on other aspects such as a ceasefire or any other.
Rymbui said that once an interlocutor is approved and appointed, the HNLC may directly communicate with that person on how to process forward the peace talk.
On being queried about extortion from traders and politicians, Rymbui said that at present he has not received any information on such a thing but if such things are there then the police will do the needful while also stating that the HNLC must understand that while the process for the peace talk is on the go they must stop all criminal activities.
