The state election commission today
indefinitely postponed civic polls in Mizoram following underground
outfit Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D)'s alleged diktat to
vote for the outfit-favoured candidates. All the 15 villages, two
under Kolasib district and 13 under Aizawl, fell under the HPC-D
demanded area for Hmar autonomous council, in the northeastern parts of
Mizoram predominated by the Hmar community. As per reports received
by the SEC, “One insurgent group” had summoned leaders of all political
parties of the area to Dholakhal in Assam and Thingpuikual in Manipur a
few days back where they told them to ensure that the HPC candidates,
supported by the HPC-D, get elected and warned them against dire
consequences if negative results occur. “The state election
commission, after taking all intelligence inputs and various reports
from district authorities into consideration, it is of the opinion that
it would not be possible to hold elections in some villages within
Kolasib district and Aizawl district,” state election commissioner C
Ropianga said at a press conference here. Civic polls in the rest
of rural and urban areas in Mizoram, with the exception of three
autonomous district councils in south Mizoram, will be held on February
23 as per scheduled, the SEC said. Sources said the HPC-D has been
supporting its parent group Hmar People's Convention in the elections.
The HPC-D was an offshoot of HPC, formed by those, who were dissatisfied
with the peace accord signed between HPC and Mizoram government in
1994. The Singlung Hills Development Council was an outcome of the
peace agreement and the HPC-D is fighting for autonomy for the Hmars
covering north and northeastern parts of Mizoram, dominated by the Hmar
tribes.