Shillong, Dec 24: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has strongly condemned the recent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on the Dhar Construction Company premises in East Jaintia Hills, urging the state government to investigate the incident and revive dialogue with the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
Speaking to the media on Monday, UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said, “As a party we do not accept any kind of terror act. We want peace and security in the state, but we don’t know why such acts of terror occur. It is the responsibility of the government and its machinery to find out why such acts happen. We endorse the government’s call for peace talks so that talks can happen between both parties. Personally, and from the party, we appeal to the HNLC and its leaders to come for peace talks. This is not the first time they have come, and I don’t know what made the peace talks fail. I hope the state government takes this matter seriously.”
The UDP’s appeal comes amid heightened tensions following the IED blast, which has been linked to HNLC operatives.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has also reiterated the government’s zero‑tolerance stance on militancy, while affirming that doors remain open for dialogue with the militant group.
Police have arrested two HNLC overground workers in connection with the attack, emphasizing a firm legal response to such violence.
UDP awaits committee report before finalizing GHADC The party is also awaiting a final report from its Garo Hills committee before confirming the number and constituencies of candidates for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Chyne said, “Till now the committee from Garo Hills has informed us that they will submit the report after New Year. The decision to contest the GHADC election has already been taken, but we have to decide how many candidates and from which constituency we will contest – that we have not decided. We have given full power to the committee to decide, and till date we have not received the report on who will join the UDP.”
The party had earlier constituted a special committee to oversee candidate selection and campaign strategy for the GHADC polls, slated for early 2026.
While the UDP has expressed intent to contest the elections, the final list of candidates remains pending until the committee’s post‑New Year report is received.
