SHILLONG, NOV 20 : The Meghalaya government will consult Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the demands set by the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for the next round of negotiations, an official said on Monday.

The Khasi militant outfit, which is on a tripartite peace talks with the Centre and the Meghalaya government, had threatened not to take part in the next round of talks unless the government dropped all pending cases against them and signed a ceasefire agreement.

In a joint statement, HNLC chairman Bobby Marwein and general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “We have clearly stated that unless all pending cases against us are withdrawn or a framework agreement for a ceasefire is signed, the HNLC chairman or general secretary cannot participate in the discussions.”

A senior official from the State Home department said that the government will examine the conditions set by the HNLC.

“The government will examine the conditions put forth by the HNLC whether to accept or reject it. The government will also have to consult the MHA since they are involved in the tripartite peace talks,” the Home department official said on on condition of anonymity.

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong had asked the HNLC to communicate its decision on the government’s request for its chairman and general secretary to be present in the second round of peace talks to be held very soon.

However, Marwein and Nongtraw had said that the HNLC has officially entrusted its newly appointed vice chairman, Teimiki Laloo, with overseeing the peace process and evaluating its progress.

In August 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a charge-sheet against four members of the outlawed organization 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.

Investigation revealed that the explosion was carried out by the outfit after the company’s owner failed to pay the ‘illegal tax’ demanded by Marius Rynjah alias Hep Koit, the ‘finance secretary’ of the outfit, the official added.

The four persons named in the charge-sheet are Emmanuel Suchen of Lumshnong in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills district and three others who are residents of Moulvibazar district in Bangladesh including HNLC chairman Bobby Marwein, general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw and Rynjah.(UNI)