Newmai News Network Aizawl | February 16 The fourth round of peace talks between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) has been deferred against the earlier schedule which was scheduled to be held in the second week of February, Home department officials said. The Home department officials said that the next round of talks has to be deferred as Finance department, DP&AR, Law department and other departments have to be consulted in the process of the ongoing negotiation. The exact date for talks could not, however, be decided, but it is likely to take place in the last week of February, officials added. Meanwhile, Lalthalien, a church leader from Manipur who headed the HPC (D) delegation in the first and the second rounds of parleys told over phone that the state government has agreed in principle to fulfill a five-point charter of demands put forth by HPC(D). He added that HPC(D) leaders are optimistic about the outcome of the parleys. The church leader also said that a wide range of agenda especially rehabilitation and election conduct of Sinlung Hills Council are likely to be discussed by both sides of delegations in the next round of talks. Lalthalien then said that the HPC(D) delegation would be led by HPC(D) working Chairman LT Hmar accompanied by five others in the next round of talks. On the question of signing Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), he said that it is unlikely to be possible in the next round of talks as many technical issues are to be involved and discussed. Lalthalien then said that the Mizoram government agreed to set up Sinlung Hills Council as demanded by HPC(D) in its charter of demands. The council shall comprise 12 elected council members and 2 nominated members preferably from minority communities to be headed by Chief Executive Member (CEM). The council shall also has Chairman, Deputy Chairman and four Executive members, Lalthalien said. The Mizoram government held peace talks with the Hmar outfit since August last year to find amicable solution to the Hmar political problem. The earlier talks were held under cordial atmosphere.
