Shillong, May 25: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) joint secretary (North East) Satyendra Garg said that the Centre was willing to talk to any militant group if needed.

“Parameter for talks is simple that any group which gives up its believe in violence or agrees to abide by the Constitution of India,” Garg told reporters on Friday while reacting to a query on the state government not open for talks with the HNLC.

Talking at the sidelines of a meeting held with the state government and district councils, Garg however said but for talks happen, there has to be ground.

“If you find (I am not saying only for HNLC but in other states also) like there is hardly any presence of the group, so what do we talk? Talks can happen when there are issues for talking. It is not that we are having different standards (for that),” he said.

“We can definitely talk to any group provided there is a need for it because before we talk to any group, there is an assessment whether the group needs to be talked or they can come and surrender,” he said.

Garg also stated that if they (militants) want to surrender and give up arms, they are welcome to join the scheme of the Government of India.

He also praised the state government of doing good work that the Centre did not have to intervene directly except providing forces, including operations against GNLA cadres.

On militancy problem in the North East region, Garg said that there has been a remarkable improvement of security in the last four years in the region.