Aizawl: The Lal Thanhawla-led Congress government in Mizoram has paved the way for resumption of peace talks with the Hmar People’s Convention-Democratic, which had hit a roadblock in December 2010. A meeting between Mizoram government officials and HPC-D representatives at Mizoram House in Silchar on Thursday was said to have shown positive signs.
“We will chalk out a roadmap for the peace talks after Christmas and New Year festival, on condition that the HPC-D fulfill its homework” a source told.
The HPC-D’s “homework” according to sources was to discontinue all kinds of militant activities inside Mizoram territory. he outfit’s “public relations officers” during the Thursday’s meeting promised to fulfill the homework, sources said.
The peace negotiations, which began in November 2010, ran into a dead in the following December when Mizoram government alleged the HPC-D involved “foreigners” in the parleys.
The Mizoram government also accused the outfit of violating the suspension of operations agreement by indulging in extortion rackets and intimidations.
Both chief minister Lal Thanhawla and home minister R Lalzirliana have repeatedly said that the Mizoram government would not resume talks with the HPC-D until and unless the latter shuns violence.
The misunderstanding had even resulted in the disruption of village council elections in 15 villages under the Sinlung hills development council, comprising Hmar-inhabited areas in northeastern Mizoram, which is being demanded by the HPC-D for Hmar autonomy. (PTI)