HPC talks inconclusive

The talks held between the Mizoram government and the Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention (Democrats) were inconclusive and the Suspension of Operations (SoO) was not extended, officials said today.
Joint Secretary of the state home department Lalbiakzama, one of the government delegates, said that the SoO was not extended as the HPC (D) delegation linked the extension to their other demands of resolving the Hmar problem.
HPC (D) is a political party spearheading a movement for self-government in the north and northeast of Mizoram.
A HPC (D) delegation member said that they demanded a political level talks to be held from September to resolve the Hmar problem.

"The government insisted on extension of the SoO for another six months, which could be seen as mere extension of SoO during the state Assembly polls to be held during the last part of November," he said.
"We want to see if the government is really sincere about solving the Hmar issue," he said, adding that the government delegation agreed to convey the wishes of the HPC (D) to the government.
The state government delegation was headed by B. Lalhmingthanga, secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Local Administration Department, while the eight-member HPC (D) delegation was led by the outfit's working chairman L T Hmar.