HPC(D) ready for talks with Mizoram govt

Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention (Democrats) today said the outfit was ready for talks and waiting for response from the Mizoram government.
In a press statement e-mailed to the media, John F Hmar, 'Secretary for Information and Publicity' of the HPC(D), denied reports that the proposed resumption of talks with the Mizoram government scheduled to be held on the last week of May was deferred due to the 'charter of demands' yet to be prepared by the outfit.
"The HPC(D) was formed with clear-cut aims and objectives and having a charter of demands since its formation for the uplift and safeguard of the Hmar people," the statement said, adding that the names of the delegates for the proposed parley were already submitted to the government.

Earlier, news reports quoting state home department officials said the proposed talks between the state government and the HPC(D) had to be postponed as the outfit was yet to complete its charter of demands to be tabled during the negotiations.
The talks, first held between the Mizoram government and the HPC(D) on November 11, 2010, culminated into signing of Suspension of Operations (SoO) for six months.
The negotiations, however, fizzled out after differences surfaced between the two parties and the situation worsened resulting in the arrest of three HPC(D) top leaders -- Chairman H Zosangbera, 'Army Chief' Lalropuia and 'Deputy Army Chief' Biaknunga.

Talks were initiated again and bilateral suspension of operations signed in Aizawl on January 31, 2013 while the second round of parley was yet to be held even as the HPC(D) expressed desire to have it on political level rather than the present official-level deliberations.