Mizoram-HPC (D) talks may begin from 2nd week of August
Source: The Sangai Express / PTI

Aizawl, July 31 2016: The proposed talks between the Mizoram government and Manipur's Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) militants is expected to begin from the second week of August, a senior police official today said.

The official said the modalities from the government side for the forthcoming talks would be finalised on Thursday next week in a meeting of senior home department and police officers chaired by state Home Minister R Lalzirliana.

"We have received positive responses from the HPC (D) leaders of the state government's peace overtures," he said, adding the exact time and place for the talks would soon be finalised even as second week of August was proposed earlier.

The negotiations between the state government and the Hmar outfit, led by its Chairman H Zosangbera, fizzled out in August 2013 over disagreement on the extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) which resulted in the arrest of several leaders of the militant group.

Formed after the signing of an agreement between Mizoram government and HPC, the HPC (D) has been indulging in multiple violent and illegal activities in the state from across the border.

The outfit has been demanding a separate autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of Constitution by carving out the areas adjoining Manipur.

The failed parleys between the state government and the Hmar outfit, led by its Chairman H.Zosangbera, in August 2013 was followed by the ambush of a team of legislators in which three policemen were killed on March 28 last year near Mizoram-Manipur border Zokhaw thiang hamlet, police sources said.

Many of those involved in the ambush were apprehended by the state police while one of the militants Malsawm kima, a state police deserter, was gunned down few days after the ambush, the sources said.

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