‘Semi-sovereign’ status for ‘Hynniewtrep’ among demands listed in HNLC ‘manifesto’
Shillong, Jan 20: Close on the heels of chief minister Conrad Sangma giving a clarion call to the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to re-join the negotiation process, the latter has released its “manifesto” seeking semi-sovereign status for the “Hynniewtrep”, broadly meaning the present Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“The people of Hynniewtrep demand the recognition of our semi-sovereign status, rooted in the historical agreements of the Instrument of Accession (IOA) and the Standstill Agreement of 1947,” the HNLC said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The manifesto consisting of 10 chapters sought “direct dialogue” with Government of India to “restore autonomy and rectify decades of injustice” and also “acknowledge violation of Standstill Agreement and the coercive nature of IOA”.It may be mentioned that chief minister Conrad Sangma reiterated the government’s positive stand on the peace talks and urged the outfit to join the peace process.
“We invite the organization for talks and we are happy to again facilitate the entire process like we did last time,” Sangma had said while referring to the first round of peace talks held in 2023.
