Parley between Hmar rebels, Mizo Govt to resume today
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, August 13 2013: The government of Mizoram and the Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic (HPC-D), Mizoram Region will resume talks tomorrow.

Sources informed Newmai News Network in Aizawl this evening that leaders of the Hmar militant outfit have arrived today in the Mizoram capital Aizawl for the talks.

The August 14 talks will held at Conference Hall, Tourist Lodge, Chaltlang in Aizawl.

The scheduled Wednesday talks between the Mizoram government and that of HPC-D, Mizoram Region will be held after the July 18 talks stalemate between the two parties in Aizawl.

Interestingly, the current term of Suspension of Operation (SoO) between the government of Mizoram and the HPC-D, Mizoram Region had not been extended after its expiry on July 31 due to the July 18 talks stalemate.

However, on the request of the Mizoram government to the Hmar outfit to have talks on August 14, the ground rules of SoO have been maintained by the Hmar outfit.

HPC-D has three regions, viz, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram with different technical objectives but politically, it is for safeguarding the rights of the Hmar community spreading in these three states.

On July 18, both the parties had a political talks at Conference Hall, Tourist Lodge, Chaltlang, Aizawl.

The Government of Mizoram side was led by Lalbiakzama, Joint Secretary to the Government of Mizoram (Home Department), Ramthlengliana, SP, CID (SB), Lalchungnunga, Additional deputy commissioner, Aizawl district, Lalhriatpuia, Deputy Secretary (Home), David H.Lalthangliana, OSD (Home), Laltanpuia Sailo, Inspector (Interpreter).

The HPC (D) delegates was led by LT Hmar, Working Chairman HPC(D), Lalchhanhima, Council Member HPC(D), Lalthalien (delegate), Joseph R.Hmar (delegate), Lalmuanpuia Punte (Spokesperson), Rohringa (delegate) and Lalremruata Varte (delegate) .

Lalbiakzama, the designated team leader representing the Government of Mizoram presided the meeting.

He welcomed and thanked the HPC(D) delegates for attending the dialogue and also appreciated the efforts of the HPC(D) in finding an amicable solution to the problems of the Hmar peoples in Mizoram.

LT Hmar, Working Chairman, HPC(D) submitted the memorandum of the HPC(D) that was addressed to the Chief Minister of Mizoram.

The same memorandum was also addressed to the Governor of Mizoram, the Union Home Minister and Joint Secretary (North East), Government of India.

The HPC(D) memorandum termed the July 27, 1994 Memorandum of Settlement (MoS)/ Peace Accord that was signed between the Government of Mizoram and the Hmar Peoples Convention (HPC) a hollow political instrument; and not accepted by the HPC(D).

Nineteen years after the signing of the MoS, it has proved to the world that the document holds no water and does not stand to fulfil the aspirations of the Hmar peoples to secure their political future.

In pursuance of the unfinished agenda of the Hmar peoples, the HPC(D) is committed to find a lasting, dignified and acceptable political solution to the Hmar's aspirations with the creation of Hmar Autonomous District Council in the state of Mizoram within the scope of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

This will be of mutual benefit and based on the long-term interest of both the Sinlung originated Hmar peoples and the Government of Mizoram, the HMAR outfit said.

The HPC(D) said it remains fully and firmly committed not to seek separation from Mizoram but rather seek to find a permanent solution to the protracted Hmar issue in Mizoram, which is compatible with the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.

The HPC(D) firmly believes that to protect Hmar identity, culture, tradition, language, land, resources and to enhance political development and democratic decentralization in Mizoram, the only pragmatic option lies in the creation of Hmar Autonomous District Council.

According to the Hmar outfit, HPC(D) advocates a long-term solution that addresses and ends the political marginalization suffered by the Hmar peoples in Mizoram.

It also believes that no solution will lead to enduring peace if it is devoid of political justice and political will; and it would not be just if it does not promote and enhance the political aspirations of the Hmar peoples," the HPC-D said.

The HPC(D) demands that the Union Government of India and the Government of Mizoram make sincere, committed and concerted efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the Hmar peoples.

The unfinished agenda should be politically settled in accordance with the Constitution of India with the objectives to initiate tripartite dialogue involving the Government of India, Government of Mizoram and the Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) for the creation of Hmar Autonomous District Council within the state of Mizoram; and to provide Constitutional safeguards and protection to the Autonomous body as under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

In the course of the dialogue, the issue of further extension of Suspension of Operation (SoO) which is due to expire on July 31, 2013 was raised by the 'team leader' representing the Government of Mizoram.

The HPC (D) firmly maintained its stand that any further extension of SoO should be intricately linked with fixation of definite timeline for political dialogue within the month of July, 2013.The talks met a stalemate as it was submitted by the HPC(D) delegates that the issue of further extension of SoO also requires prior consultation and decision of the HPC (D) 'council' .

Since 1986, the Hmar People's Convention (HPC) has been demanding for the creation of Hmar Autonomous District in Mizoram.

In spite of the Peace Accord that was inked between the Government of Mizoram and the HPC, there was no concrete solution to address and redress the rights of the Hmar people, the HPC-D stated.

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