Shillong, June 17: Meghalaya government today said it has not appointed anyone to liaison between banned militant groups, while clarifying that it had not pointed fingers at anyone on the issue of politician-militant nexus. Home Minister R G Lyngdoh said the Khasi Jaintia People's Forum (KJPF), a religious organisation of Christian churches of various denominations, solely was authorised to talk to the banned Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) and Hynniewtrep National Volunteer Council (HNLC) militants.

On June 12, Chief Minister D D Lapang said his government would invoke Pota if necessary to deter unauthorised liaisoning by politicians with banned militant groups.

Citing reports in the press alleging links between politicians and insurgents, the home minister, said "we cannot accuse anyone unless it is proved."

He said, however, that investigations were underway.

Lyngdoh said that the government time and again appealed for talks with militants, but it had fallen on deaf ears.

He underscored that talks could only take place in a conducive atmosphere, when militants showed their sincerity by stopping all criminal activities.

Bureau Report