Shillong, May 18: The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) on Thursday lauded the government’s decision to start the formal peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

“KJCLF conveys its appreciation at the announcement of the Chief Minister that the tripartite peace talks have been scheduled to formally commence in June 2023,” Secretary of the Forum Rev Dr Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement issued here.

“For the citizens of our State the yearning and quest for peace has been long, chequered and alternating,” he said adding that “the KJCLF recognizes and acknowledges the great pace and confident stride of the HNLC as well as of the two other parties involved and prays for the success of this important endeavour.”

“The Forum hopes that the imminent peace talks, though chequered in the past will now result into a purposeful and inclusive quilt of peace, justice, security and safety of our land and its people,” he said.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had announced that the formal peace talks with the HNLC will start by the first week of next month.

After chairing a cabinet meeting, Sangma had told reporters that the deputy chief minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong had an informal meeting with HNLC political secretary, vice chairman and executive members on Tuesday, in the presence of the interlocutor PS Dkhar.

“It was decided and formally communicated that the formal talks with the HNLC will start in the first week of June,” Sangma had said.