Meghalaya Govt urges HNLC not to pull out of peace talks

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 5: Spokesperson of the MDA government and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh today appealed to the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) not to pull out of the ongoing peace talks.

Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said the government has only seen the HNLC’s statement conveying its decision to withdraw from the tripartite peace talks in media reports but officially nothing has been communicated to the government as yet.

“So first, I would appeal to the HNLC not to pull out of the peace talks because a lot of grounds have been covered initially and we would hope that good sense will prevail and we should be able to return to the negotiating table,” he said.

Asked, Lyngdoh said he will not be in a position to say much on the issue since both the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and deputy chief minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong are presently out of the station.

“But certainly, the government will take a call on the matter and it should be happening very soon once the CM is back,” he added.

He further assured that the matter will be taken priority once the CM and deputy CM in charge home are in town.

On the HNLC’s demand for a general amnesty, Lyngdoh said, “Well, it certainly can be considered depending on the gravity of each of the cases registered but certainly yes, it should be and it will be considered.”

Referring to the NIA cases against the outfit, the spokesperson said, “See those are matters of details but in general the approach should be when you have peace talks it should not be to the detriment of any section and to the interest of only one section so it has to be reciprocal.”

“Based on the principle of reciprocity then only we can take a stand on matters of details but the general approach would be that has to be give and take,” he asserted.

Meghalaya BJP urges HNLC not to ditch peace talks

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 4: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today appealed to the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the tripartite peace talks with the Centre and State government for lasting peace to prevail in the state of Meghalaya.

Addressing the media, BJP national vice president and Meghalaya in charge Dr Chuba Ao said, “We appeal to our militant organization to come forward and join the mainstream and attain peace.”

Party state president Rikman G Momin said, “We need peace so we will request HNLC to come forward to have peace talks with the State or Central government directly.”

He however refused to comment on whether amnesty should be given to the leaders and cadres of the banned Khasi outfit.

Chief spokesperson and former IPS officer M Kharkrang said the party is surprised at the HNLC’s sudden decision to withdraw itself from the peace talks with the government. According to him, it is not possible for the government at one stroke of a pen to drop all cases against the leaders and cadres of the outfit.

“If you have seen the statement the main agenda of the HNLC is to drop all cases against the leaders and cadres of the outfit. I feel they should have waited as it is not easy for the government to just drop these cases especially if cases have been charge-sheeted and are being tried in the courts as once cases are being charge-sheeted, it totally depends on the court. To say that the government at one stroke of a pen to drop all cases is not possible,” he said.

“At the same time, we also have to think about those victims of such cases, they may be your families or relatives, now if the government just to appease one side, drops all cases, what justice will you give to the victims of criminal cases,” he added.

Kharkhrang said it was a hasty decision on the part of the HNLC to withdraw from the peace talks adding “They should have given the peace talks a chance.”

The former IPS officer said, “We are appealing to the HNLC to continue with the peace process and in a given situation, it is a give and take, you cannot make demands and expect all the demands to be met by the government. You have to look at the larger picture, not that just because one issue has not been settled it doesn’t mean you pull yourself out of the peace talks.”

On the HNLC’s apprehension that its top leaders will get arrested once they come overground, Kharkrang however said that the outfit has to believe the government because a safe passage is a safe passage

“If the government has agreed to give them a safe passage, you see the government doesn’t work like that, once they have given in writing that they are giving them a safe passage it is a safe passage so I don’t think so there is any trust deficit in that, the government cannot fool people like that so they have to believe the government,” he said.

Referring to the recent death threat issued by HNLC to Sohra legislator Gavin M Mylliem over the downfall of the MCCL, Kharkrang said, “Personally, I would say that it was uncalled for. You cannot for the ills which have taken place on the company for the last 30-40 years, now you cannot put the blame solely on the sitting MLA. I think it was uncalled for.”

LIVE UPDATES: Meghalaya Assembly Election Results 2023

Shillong | March 2, 2023

The assembly elections in Meghalaya for 59 seats took place on February 28, 2023, while polling in one constituency was adjourned due to the death of a candidate. The counting of votes has commenced on March 2 from 8 am onwards. The Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, F R Kharkongor had earlier stated that over 85% of the state’s 21.6 lakh voters exercised their franchise during this year’s elections.

The Congress and BJP contested in 59 seats, while the NPP put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57, and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in 46.The high turnout during the elections reflects the people’s interest and enthusiasm in the democratic process. The CEO’s office had previously reported that over 75% of the voting took place till 5 PM, with voting continuing for several more hours after it was supposed to conclude at 4 pm. Counting for the 59 constituencies will be held at 13 centers across the state.

Follow LIVE UPDATES here

04:13 pm:

The overall vote count as follows

NPP leads with 25 seats followed by UDP with 11 seats, INC and AITC with 5 seats, VPP with 4, BJP 3 and HSPDP, PDF and Independent with 2 each.

02:49 pm:

Lahkmen Rymbui retains Amlarem by a margin of 57 votes.

02.32 pm:

People accord warm welcome to NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma after NPP’s victorious innings in 25 seats.

 

02.28 pm:

BJP’s Sanbor Shullai reacts after winning South Shillong for the 4th term.

NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma’s 1st reaction after poll results.

2.00 pm:

Mukul Sangma loses Tikrikilla

01.39 pm:

Results for 59/59 seats known for Meghalaya. NPP leads in 26 seats followed by UDP and VPP among others.

01.13 pm:

NPP’s Conrad K Sangma continues to lead in South Tura Constituency with 49% votes as per latest ECI updates.

12.59 pm:

BJP’s AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai retain Pynthorumkhrah and South Shillong Constituencies.

NPP’s Snaiwbhalang Dhar wins Nartiang constituency.

NPP continues to maintain overall lead in Meghalaya.

12.50 pm:

NPP’s Marthon J Sangma wins Mendipathar constituency.

NPP’s James Sangma loses to Rupa M Marak of AITC by a very close margin.

12.13 pm:

NPP’s Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh emerge victorious

11.55 am:

Conrad Sangma’s NPP seen to be emerging as single largest party in Meghalaya as per Election Result Trends.

11:27 am:

BJP candidate AL Hek leading in Pynthorumkhrah Constituency followed by INC candidate PN Syiem, VPP, NPP and other.

11.15 am:

VPP candidate from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang exudes confidence after Round 2 election verdict.

11.04 am:

JUST IN– NPP leads in 20 seats, followed by UDP in 7, INC in 6, BJP in 6, AITC in 5 and VPP in 4.

10.50 am:

Voice of the People Party (VPP) supporters rejoice as the party leads in various constituencies for Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Elections. VPP is currently seen to be leading in Mawlai, Nongkrem, Mylliem and Mawphlang.

10.33 am:

NPP’s Conrad Sangma, the current Chief Minister of Meghalaya and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively.

 

10.28 am:

Round 1 poll results: (major constituencies)

South Tura: NPP’s Conrad Sangma and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively
Amlarem: Lahkmen Rymbui (UDP)
Dadenggre: Rupa M Marak (AITC) surpasses James Sangma (NPP)
Jowai: Wailadmiki Shylla (NPP)
Khliehriat: Kyrmen Shylla (UDP)
Mawhati: Shemphang Lyngdoh (NPP)
Mawlai: Brightstarwell Marbaniang (VPP)
Nongthymmai: Charles Pyngrope (AITC)
Ranikor: Pius Marwein (UDP)
Resubelpara: Timothy D Shira (NPP)

more updates incoming…

10.10 am:

Latest trends as per ECI website

09.30 am:

Just In– Latest trends:
VPP leading in Mawphlang
INC leading in Mairang,
HSPDP leading in Mawthadraishan
AITC leading in Kharkutta, Rongara Siju
NPP leading in Resubelpara and Bajengdoba
GNC leading in Chokpot

more updates incoming…

09.00 am– Just in: scenes from the counting locations in Meghalaya outside the strong rooms.

08.20 am– Counting of votes began at 13 centres across Meghalaya today. The district magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills district has imposed Section 144  on Thursday. At 8 AM, under heavy security, the counting of votes for 59 of the 60 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly began across various districts.

As per reports, Conrad Sangma, the current chief minister of Meghalaya and the leader of the NPP, visited Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, on Tuesday night in Guwahati ahead of the couting day. NPP sources informed that bot the Chief Ministers participated in a key meeting that lasted 30 minutes in a hotel in Guwahati.

08:10 am– All eyes on counting of votes. 24 CAPF companies have been retained for ensuring 24*7 safe counting of votes at the strongrooms, containing polled EVMs of 3419 polling stations across the State of Meghalaya, as informed by Meghalaya CEO F.R Kharkongor. The CAPF personnel will be stationed till March 4, 2023, for keeping a check on post poll occurrences. Post counting, 5 polling stations will be selected at random and manual counting of 5 randomly selected EVMs will take place as per ECI rules. On the other hand, massive traffic arrangements have also been made for the day across various districts of Meghalaya.