Sinlung /
17 July 2013

Hmar Talks From Tomorrow

Aizawl, Jul 17 : Decks have been cleared for resumption of peace talks between the Mizoram government and the militant outfit Hmar Peoples’ Convention (Democratic) on Thursday.

Sources in the outfit said today that an eight-member team, headed by HPC (D) working president Thangliana, has been constituted to represent the rebel group.

Lalbiakzama, a joint secretary in the state home department, will head the government delegation.

According to sources at the HPC (D) headquarters in Tipaimukh sub-division of Manipur, the outfit is likely to press for an upgrade of the status of talks from the present official to the political level.

This suggestion was also put forward during a meeting of the joint monitoring group at Sakerdawi in northeast Mizoram, headquarters of the Hmar Development Council, to review the ceasefire agreement between the militants and security forces.

According to Mizoram government sources, there is also the likelihood of the HPC (D) delegation to again raise its demand of elevating the status and powers of the Hmar council to an autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

However, the Congress government in Mizoram has time and again said it would not accede to such a demand as it is bound to create similar demands from other indigenous communities living in the state.

The HPC (D) has been affected by factional rivalry with some members ousting former chairman and commander-in-chief Lalmingthanga.

Another former chairman, H. Zosangbera, was arrested at New Delhi airport last year.

In a similar exercise, police captured the outfit’s army chief Lalropuia and his deputy Biaknunga last year from Silchar airport. They were later set free on bail to pave the way for resumption of the peace talks.

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