Shillong, Jun 23: Senior BJP leader and a minister in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition, A L Hek on Tuesday said that it was the sole prerogative of the Central government to decide whether the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) could be invited for unconditional talks with the government or the outlawed outfit would have to lay down arms first for such peace initiative.
“Anybody who wants to go for peace talks we welcome. But (the conditions) is at the prerogative or advise of the central government,†he said, adding that he himself in particular and the State BJP was ready to
facilitate talks between the Centre and the HNLC.
Hek said that the State unit of the BJP was ready to act as facilitator for the HNLC or any other organisation if they want to have peace talks with the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
“I will take them if they are ready and I will make my contact with the Home Minister Amit Shah and anybody in the NDA. If they want to have peace talks we are ready. We want peace in the state of Meghalaya,” Hek said.
On Monday, HNLC General Secretary Saiñkupar Nongtraw had welcomed the BJP’s offer to facilitate the peace talks with the government.