The first round of political level talks between the Mizoram Government and a faction of Hmar People’s Convention – Democratic (HPC-D) scheduled for March 5 have been deferred to march 7 due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’.
This was stated by Mizoram Home Minister Pu R Lalzirliana on Wednesday.
Lalzirliana informed that some of the government officials as well as HPC-D members were not ready for the dialogue owing to personal preoccupations.
He further said the proposed talks on March 7 instead of March 5 would be held at the State Guest House in Aizawl.
According to the Home Minister, former Labour Minister Lalrinmawla Ralte who was recently appointed as political adviser to the Chief Minister along with Mizoram Law Commission chairman and legislator John Siamkunga will head the State Government delegation.
Meanwhile, HPC-D spokesperson Lalthalien, who had headed the first and second rounds of official-level talks, said the its working chairman Lalthanglien is likely to head the Hmar delegation in the political level talks.
He also said they will bring in changes in at least two representatives from the HPC-D demand area to represent the delegation.
However, they are yet to decide on the militant delegation.
The talks, initially proposed to be held before Christmas last year, was delayed as Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla constituted a three-member committee of legislators to examine the draft legislation on the formation of Sinlung Hills Council.
To find amicable solution to the vexed Hmar political imbroglio, both the Mizoram government and HPC (D) led by Zosangbera have been holding peace talks starting from August 2016.
The last official level talk was held in September last year in Aizawl, which ended on a positive note.
The peace talks revolved around autonomy to the existing Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) which would be re-christened as Singlung Hills Council (SHC).
During the last talk, both sides also agreed in principle the draft of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) and Sinlung Hills Council Bill.
The HPC (D) was formed after the surrender of the HPC cadres to the authorities, by some leaders who were not satisfied with the terms of the agreement and continued to demand a separate autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The outfit, which had revived the demand for autonomy since 1995, recently agreed to drop the demand paving the way for a solution to the Hmar impasse.
