Talks between HPC(D), Mizoram govt to resume soon

After the release of five people abducted by Bru militants on Thursday, talks between the Manipur-based Hmar People's Convention (Democrats) and the Mizoram government would resume soon, state Home department officials said.
The officials said that members of the Joint Monitoring Group would soon hold consultations on the venue and time of the resumption of the parleys and make decisions.
The Joint Monitoring Group, headed by the Superintendent of Police CID (Special Branch) and comprising three members each from the state government and the HPC (D) was formed earlier to monitor the progress and problems of the negotiations.
Earlier on January 31, both the parties signed bilateral suspension of operations (SoO) in Aizawl which would be in force for six months and could be extended from time to time.

According to the state Home Minister R Lalzirliana in the Assembly, the proposed resumption of talks could not be held earlier due to the by-election to the Chalfilh assembly seat on February 23 and also the abduction of five people by Bru militants on February 19 who kept the hostages in captivity till Thursday last.
The HPC (D) had been demanding autonomy in the state comprising the north eastern part of the state adjoining Manipur and was not satisfied with the constitution of the Sinlung Hill Development Council in accordance with the agreement signed between the erstwhile underground HPC and the state government in 1994.