Ex-HNLC chief urges militants to opt for peace

Mawhati MLA and former chairman of the proscribed militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Julius K Dorphang, today urged the outfit leaders take the opportunity to come forward to the negotiating table and opt for peace.
"I am glad that the government opens up this window of opportunity (peace talks). As always, I want them to take this. Opportunity comes once in a lifetime," Dorphang said.
The former chairman of the HNLC who surrendered in 2007 after an ideological difference with the central leadership in Bangladesh, said he was glad to see interests growing in the leadership towards lasting peace.

He, however, said there should be sincerity on the part of the HNLC before committing to everlasting peace.
State Home Minister Roshan Warjri had recently announced that the state government would soon forward the names of interlocutors to the Centre for its approval before holding peace talks with the outfit.
The HNLC used to be active in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in the state. Its sister outfit, the ANVC, which was active in the Garo Hills region, have laid down arms long back in 2004 and signed a peace pact last year.

"We can't always solve problems in the battlefields but across the negotiating table," Dorphang said urging the central leaders of the outlawed militant outfit to consider the move on the part of the government to bring all militant outfits to the negotiating table.

Dorphang contested the Assembly elections in 2013 and won from Mawhati constituency in Ri-Bhoi district as an Independent candidate.
Two other former HNLC militants also contested the autonomous district council elections later and currently are members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.