Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, D.P. Wahlang, has confirmed certain non-negotiable issues remain a barrier in the tripartite talks involving the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the state government, and the Centre. While the government remains open to dialogue, Wahlang asserted that issues deemed non-negotiable cannot be compromised, especially with the Ministry of Home Affairs involved in the process.
“No, there are some items which are non-negotiable; there are some items which are negotiable,” Wahlang explained. “When it is non-negotiable, we have to take into consideration the involvement of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Non-negotiable issues cannot be compromised.”
Regarding the status of the talks, Wahlang stated that HNLC had shown a willingness to engage in discussions but differences over critical points led to a deadlock. “At one point, HNLC was very keen to continue with the discussions. However, there were tricky points that created a lack of convergence between their stance and ours,” Wahlang said.
The Chief Secretary further elaborated that the HNLC was advised to reconvene internally and return once they achieved clarity on contentious issues. “We requested them to go back, have proper discussions, and return when there’s complete clarity and convergence. They have had their meetings but have not resumed talks with us yet. Our doors are open, and that is the most important thing,” he said.
On the topic of law and order in the state, Wahlang highlighted 2024 as a peaceful year and expressed optimism for the future. “When it comes to law and order, 2024 was relatively peaceful. We didn’t face any major issues, and everything was under control. We hope this trend continues into 2025, as a stable law-and-order situation allows the government to drive its developmental agenda forward, ultimately benefiting the citizens,” he added.