Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and MDA 2 Government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh confirmed on Monday that the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has expressed reluctance to proceed with peace talks, effectively halting negotiations. However, he emphasized that the state government remains open to dialogue and ready to resume discussions if the group re-establishes contact.
Speaking to the media in Shillong, Lyngdoh stated, “HNLC has already made things clear that they are reluctant to further talks, and the matter ends there.”
When asked if the government’s stance had changed, Lyngdoh clarified, “Our doors for talks are still open. Any time they can communicate, we will re-establish contact and continue with the talks.”
Addressing the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) recent five-year ban on the HNLC, Lyngdoh described it as routine. “This is a routine matter, considering that they have not responded to the notices of MHA. So it’s nothing strange, nothing out of the ordinary,” he remarked.
The ban, effective from November 16, was issued in a notification by the Union Home Ministry, which stated that the HNLC’s primary objective is the secession of areas in Meghalaya inhabited predominantly by Khasi and Jaintia tribes. The group has been accused of extorting funds through intimidation and harassment of civilians and of engaging in activities that threaten India’s sovereignty and integrity.
The HNLC is also known for maintaining links with other insurgent groups in the Northeast, aiding its operations, including extortion, intimidation, and criminal acts. Between November 2019 and June 2024, the group has been involved in 48 criminal cases, including bombings and planting explosives across Meghalaya. During this time, security forces arrested 73 of its members.