Meghalaya: HNLC withdraws from tripartite peace talks with Centre and State govt

Militant outfit outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in Meghalaya withdrew from the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and the state government.

In a statement, it has stated that their demand for general amnesty to their cadres was not met.

In a letter to Centre’s interlocutor AK Mishra, outfit’s self-styled chairman and commander-in-chief Boby Marwein said, “We deeply regret to inform you that we are reluctantly withdrawing ourselves from the peace talks with your government. This decision has been made due to the unfortunate circumstance that our general demands have not been met.”


Marwein added, “It is with a heavy heart that we witness the peace process reaching such a critical point.”

The outfit recently issued a death threat to Gavin Mylliemngap, an MLA of the ruling National People’s Party in Meghalaya.

In a statement, outfit general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “If the government proceeds with the shutdown of MCCL, it would be appropriate for MLA Sohra Gavin to assume responsibility. Just as you and your government dare to bury MCCL alive, we will hold you accountable by our own actions. Traitors of the people should be punished with death.”

The tripartite peace talks began last year. The outfit demanded the withdrawal of all cases against its cadres before talks could proceed further.

Earlier NIA had filed a chargesheet against four members of the outlawed organisation for allegedly triggering a bomb on the premises of Star Cement Factory in East Jaintia Hills district in December 2020 for their failure to pay ransom.

In August 2021 violent protests broke out in different places in Meghalaya after General Secretary Chesterfield Thangkhiew of HNLC was killed in a police operation Chesterfield was a former militant and police have alleged his involvement in the IED explosion in Shillong. Two people were injured in that explosion.