Aizawl:Zofest or Cultural festival of the Mizos, scheduled to begin from on Wednesday at Haflong in Assam’s North Cachar district could not start due to reported objection from militants of Hmar People’s Convention-Democrats.
Lalhmachhuana, president of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students Association, which has been organising Zofest told PTI over phone from Haf-long that an emergent mee-ting of different organisa-tions was being held after which the future programme would be chalked out.
“We have cancelled our programme for today and tonight,” Lalhmachhuana said, adding that the outcome of the meeting of organisations including Hmar Inpui, the apex body of Hmars was being awaited for making further decisions. MZP sources said that Manipur-based HPC-D which has been at loggerheads with Mizoram government objected to the Zofest at the last moment as Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was invited to attend the three-day festival as chief guest.
The peace talks between Mizoram government and HPC-D during 2013 ended in a deadlock over extension of suspension of operation as the delegation of the militant group felt that the state government was not sincere in solving the Hmar problems.
Mizoram Hmar Welfare Association leaders were also negotiating with the leaders of the Hmar militants to ensure that the Zofest was held in Haflong, MZP sources said. (PTI)
