Newmai News Network Aizawl | September 23 An Aizawl based daily newspaper reported today that the much hyped second round of peace talks between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) would be held in the first week of October in Aizawl. The Mizoram Post report quoted HPC (D) leader Lalthalien as saying that the Mizoram government proposed to hold the parleys in the first week of October. Earlier, during the first round of talks, both sides had agreed to hold the next round of talks in mid-September. The negotiations could not be resumed as agreed due to the government’s engagement with the Bru repatriation and tight schedule of the state government officials, the HPC (D) leader added. Lalbiakzama, Additional Secretary for Home, Government of Mizoram, had also told the media that the talk could not be held as agreed during mid-September and had to be postponed as the government officials were engaged in some other works. He added that both sides were unprepared for talks in mid- September. According to Mizoram Post, Lalthalien told the daily over telephone that the HPC (D) wanted to resolve the imbroglio most suited to the consent of the people of the HPC (D) demand area. He added that he expects something positive from the government. The HPC (D) leader also said that both sides would deliberate on making the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) better suited for the people of the area, "maybe even better than an autonomous district council" under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. It may be recalled here that during the peace talks held on August 10, 2016, the Hmar delegation had reiterated their demand for the creation of a separate Autonomous District Council in the Hmar inhabited area in north Mizoram adjoining Manipur. It is also worth noting here that in the first week of September, Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana had asserted that the state government of Mizoram would not agree to the demand of the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic). The HPC (D) has been demanding a separate Autonomous District Council in the northeastern part of Mizoram under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India and has been indulging in violent activities to press their demands from across the Manipur border. The Mizoram Home Minister however said that he wished the current peace talks between the state government and the HPC (D) would be successful in solving the insurgency problem and bringing lasting peace as desired by people. The peace talks between Mizoram government and HPC (D) was resumed on August 10, three years after a stalemate in 2013. On the eve of the talks, the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) had expressed its hope of resolving the "Hmar political problem" in Mizoram through dialogue.
