Truce with Mizoram over, says HPC-D

AIZAWL: The Hmar People's Convention-Democrats (HPC-D) on Tuesday said its ceasefire agreement with the Mizoram government has lapsed because of the latter's alleged lack of commitment towards carrying forward the peace talks.

"The Mizoram government has failed to find a solution to the Hmars' problems. Though the government signed a suspension of operation agreement with us on November 11, 2010, it was not interested in extending the pact," the Manipur-based underground outfit said in a statement.

"Neither the government gave us any date, nor did it talk about any formality for further talks and extension of the agreement," HPC-D general secretary Zosangbera said.

The outfit alleged that the government's silence indicated that "it wanted to derail the peace process instead of creating an honourable situation"for finding out an amicable solution to the Hmars' demands". It added, "If the Mizoram government wants to renew the SoO, the HPC-D will not stand in the way. The ball is now in the government's court."

The HPC-D was formed following the surrender of the erstwhile HPC, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mizoram government in 1994. Dissatisfied with the pact, a section of the HPC militants floated the HPC-D and continued with the armed struggle for autonomy of the Hmar-inhabited areas of the northeastern parts of the state in accordance with the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.