HPC (D) syas no VC election in Sinlung hills
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, October 10 2012: The Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) � HPC (D) has, once again, pushed the Government of Mizoram to another dire strait as it stands its ground firm not to allow the latter to conduct Village Council (VC) elections in Sinlung Hills of Mizoram.

The Government of Mizoram has been desperately trying to conduct the village council elections as it has already fixed more than one date for filing the nomination papers.

As the last date for filing nomination is just few days away, no party or candidate has turned up so far to register for the election as the HPC(D) maintains that in the name of democracy the Government of Mizoram has been rendering institutional injustices to the Hmar people on all fronts for decades.

As the extended date drew no candidate the Government is taken by more than a surprise as the village council is seen as the vehicle of delivering grassroots democracy, although significantly determined by the ruling party.

According to sources, representatives of the Government of Mizoram visited the jailed leaders of the HPC (D) in Aizawl Central Jail on October 8 to negotiate for a free conduct of the elections.

Unfortunately, the HPC (D) leaders did not hand out any straw to the visiting Government officials.

The dogged pursuit by the Government sees no end as they summoned the president of the HPC, Thangliensung yesterday in Aizawl to find a way out of the wall.

"I have no control over the HPC(D) and I have no authority over them, so my limitations are as clear as the daylight.

No doubt, we want peace and solution, but the Governmant as well as the HPC(D) has to be seriously and equally engaged in finding the solution", Thangliensung said.

Meanwhile, the HPC (D) has laid down conditions for the Government of Mizoram if it is serious about talking to them; the arrested leaders should be released unconditionally.

The HPC (D) has also expressed its desire to talk if the condition is fulfilled and if the Government is serious in delivering justice to the Hmar peoples.

With the assembly elections drawing closer, the Congress led Government of Mizoram is putting up its best to show that Mizoram is "militant free" and peaceful.

However, the Mizo National Front and other political parties have been accusing the Congress led Government for failing democracy, and for its inability to conduct the Village Council elections and for the non-functioning of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) in the HPC (D) demand area.

A significant section of the Mizos has been taking the uproot of the YMA as humiliation and disgrace, while the Chakmas, Lais and Maras could see the breathe and life of their culture, identity and traditions without the YMA in their respective districts.

A couple of days ago while inaugurating a festival, the Home Minister of Mizoram stated that the Government will not spare anyone that challenge the peace and harmony of the State.

The Home Minister also said that if the HPC(D) does not withdraw its stand, it would employ the central security forces to maintain peace and order in the State, which would usher in another disturbed state.

The HPC (D) maintains that securing peace and justice would only be realisable if the Government of Mizoram created a Hmar Autonomous District in the interest of securing welfare, democracy, and just peace.

One HPC (D) leaders said, "Sinlung Hills is part of Aizawl district.

However, our parts of Aizawl is black and muddy, theirs is white and shining.

Its a difference of day and night." As the flux is caught in the web, the bigger question is who will draw what for Mizoram to celebrate the "peace bonus?" .

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