Shillong, Aug 10: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said the government is ready to initiate peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) but the outfit will need to surrender. Also, he said the talks can’t be unconditional, they will have to be within the ambit of the Constitution of India.

His statement comes in the wake of the HNLC claiming responsibility for the IED blast at Laitumkhrah market which injured two civilians on Tuesday afternoon.

“They (HNLC) must surrender and they must come forward if they want discussion. We are ready to talk but it has to be a talk which is very much within the constitutional framework of the country,” he said.

The CM further added that any discussion with the HNLC will only be based on them moving towards peace.