Hmar rebel group to hold talk with Mizo Govt

AIZAWL, April 16, 2013 [NNN/TSE] --- The Joint Monitoring Group, which has been constituted to monitor 'Suspension of Operation' (SoO) between Mizoram government and Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) are all set to hold talks on coming Friday at Sakawrdai, Mizoram. The talks will be held at the Tourist Lodge. According to official sources, the Joint Monitoring Group will review implementation of Suspension of Operation by both the parties. The Mizoram government side is to be headed by the SP CID (SB), H. Ramthlengliana while the HPC (D) will be represented by the outfit's leaders including Francis Songate, Lalbeiseia and Sangneihkunga. It may be recalled that the Suspension of Operation agreed to by both the parties in their meeting on January 31 this year is for a period of 6 months. It worth mentioning here that for the first time on February 9, 2011 the SoO was signed betwen the two parties for six months. However, after signing the earlier SoO, the relation between the HPC-D and the Mizoram government experienced a rough weather. In view of that, the SoO was never extended again even after the lapse of the six month period. 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. "As a result, the HPC (D) has been continuous the same demand in Mizoram to redress the historical and political injustices. Acknowledging the matter, the Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India) has been pressurising the Government of Mizoram to settle the political issues of the Hmars immediately. Following this and to pursue the unfinished agenda, the Government of Mizoram and the HPC (D) signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) on November 11, 2010 for a period of six months. The SoO document was signed by Lalropui, Army Chief HPC (D) and the Home Secretary Shri. Lalmalsawma, Government of Mizoram," HPC-D leader L Sangma Hmar had stated sometime in last October. The Hmar outfit leader had then alleged that the Government of Mizoram had failed to nurture the peace process with seriousness, which resulted in derailing the hard earned peace process. Taking note of this, the Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs) continued to pressurise the Government of Mizoram to settle the Hmar political problems. The government of Mizoram digressed from peaceful approach and acted untowardly when the HPC (D) on the other hand, is made to engage in finding the channels for political dialogue with All Party Leaders of Mizoram, he stated. While handing out the carrot, the Government of Mizoram arrested the HPC (D) Army Chief Lalropui and Deputy Army Chief Lalbiaknung from Silchar airport on June 16, 2012 by the Mizoram police. Similarly HPC (D) Chairman Zosangber was again arrested from Delhi Airport by the Mizoram police when he was on his way to meet officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Government of Mizoram has severely failed to respect the peace process that has seemingly built, the HPC-D had rued. In the context of Manipur, the HPC (D) political interest is collectively shared with the United People's Front (UPF), currently under SoO with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur. The UPF demands for an Autonomous Hill States within the state of Manipur. The HPC (D) did not sign the SoO documents in Manipur alone but as UPF, the document is collectively shared and signed along with the UPF members: KNF, KRA (U), UKLF, ZDV and ZRA. The HPC (D) has its designated Camp in Ankhasuo with ninety four (94) cadres enlisted. In Manipur, the HPC (D) will continue to abide by the goals shared within the UPF. "The HPC (D)'s goals and objectives are independent in all its respective context and is free from the other. The SoO terms and conditions in Manipur, has no validity in other States. Therefore, the HPC (D) Manipur Region is not answerable for the HPC (D) of other regions/States as the HPC (D) Manipur Region is particularly confined in Manipur under UPF," L Sanga Hmar had also statedr. For all time to come, the HPC (D) Manipur Region as signatory of SoO in Manipur cannot be made responsible or related to any acts of the HPC (D) of other regions, L Sanga Hmar had added. According to HPC-D leader, after India gained independence, the Hmar peoples are fragmented by different political boundaries, without their consent, and are compelled to negotiate political marginalisation in their respective states – Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura. This historical and political subjugation have severely reduced our political entity, distancing us from securing our constitutional rights, stated L Sanga Hmar who is one of the members, Joint Monitoring Group of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement between the Government of Manipur and the Government of India Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC -D). HPC-D leader L Sanga Hmar had also said last year that the urgent need to realise 'our constitutional rights to redress our dignity' as peoples has been the driving force behind the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) objective to demand for 'Autonomous District Council' for the Hmar peoples in Assam, Manipur and Mizoram under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. In the pursuit of securing this end, the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) – Assam Region, has also initiated a political dialogue involving the Government of India and the Government of Assam after laying down arms by 56 cadres of HPC (D) which was hosted by the Government of Assam in the presence of the then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram at Guwahati on January 24, 2012. The first round of talks of the HPC (D) delegates – Government of Assam – the Central Government was held on September 27, 2012, Sanga Hmar had disclosed.

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