Aizawl: The Mizoram government and the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) will hold the first political-level talks on Wednesday after a series of official-level talks between August 2016 and September 2017.
A senior official in the home department said on Tuesday that the talks will begin at 11am at the state guest house here. The talks, initially scheduled for March 5, had been postponed on the request of HPC (D) delegates, he said. The official said both sides are optimistic about a positive outcome.
The government delegation will be headed by political adviser to chief minister Lal Thanhawla and MLA, Lalrinmawia Ralte, and include Mizoram Law Commission chairman and MLA John Siamkunga as well as home department officials who took part in the official-level talks.
An 11-member HPC (D) delegation, led by its working chairman Lalthanglien aka L.T. Hmar, arrived here in the evening. The delegation comprises four Hmar representatives from Manipur and seven from Mizoram, who are all civilians except Lalthanglien. Thangliensung from Sakawrdar village is unlikely to participate owing to health issues.
The Hmar leaders expressed hope the peace talks will bring a lasting solution to the long-pending Hmar problems.
The Mizoram government and the H. Zosangbera-led HPC (D) faction have been holding talks since August 10, 2016. So far, there have been five rounds of talks mainly revolving around according autonomy to the Sinlung Hills Development Council. The council was formed after signing of the peace accord between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People's Convention (HPC) in July 1994. The HPC (D) has proposed to rename the council as Sinlung Hills Council (SHC), with Sakawrdai as its headquarters and have 14 members, including two nominated members preferably from minority communities.
During the last official-level talks held on September 22 last year, both sides had approved in principle the draft legislation for the proposed council and the memorandum of settlement.
HPC(D) spokesperson Lalthalien said the Hmar Inpui, an apex body of Hmar community, has approved the draft legislation and suggested some changes, which will be tabled on Wednesday.
