SHILLONG, August 13 (NNN): Stating that it is ready to continue its struggle for another 31 years if the need arises, the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has expressed its willingness to come forward for unconditional peace talks as long as these are without any pre-set conditions. In statement received here on Monday, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “We are ever ready to come forward for talks with the government but it should not be based on any conditions.” Stating that the outfit continues to maintain that the Hynniewtrep land is not part of India, he said that the Government of India will never be able to resolve the problems by using gun power. “The only way to resolve these problems is through dialogue otherwise the HNLC will not mind to continue with its struggles even if it takes us another 31 years,” he said. The HNLC, which is observing its 30th anniversary said that it would follow the footsteps of Wickliffe Syiem, the founder of Hynniewtrep nationalism, maintained that “it was not the wish of the indigenous people to be Indians but were forced to be citizens of India”. Nongtraw said that instead of celebrating Independence Day, the traditional institutions should instead observe August 15 as ‘Wickliffe Syiem Day’. Opining that Meghalaya is yet to achieve political freedom in spite of getting statehood, Nongtraw said, “The state still has to depend on the Central government for making laws for the state which has only 3MPs. We have also seen that when the Assembly or the District Council wanted to make any law, the final decision has to be taken by the Governor to ensure that such laws are not in conflict with the Central laws.” He also accused the Central Government of depriving the rights of the indigenous community as underlined by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “We will continue to fight for our rights as the indigenous community needs to be given recognition as a nation. It is also high time that our historical rights and mother tongue should be recognized,” he said. Nongtraw said that U Tirot Sing Syiem and U Kiang Nangbah should also be given due recognition as freedom fighters of the indigenous community. Admitting that the outfit is facing a lot of difficulties due to the surrendering of its cadres as well as cadres who were killed and arrested in the past, Nongtraw however claimed that the outfit is gaining its strength financially. “As of today, we are in a better position in terms of finance, cadre strength and the ability to buy new weapons,” he said.
