Mizoram Hmar leaders flay govt for failing to implement accord with HPC

All-party declaration calls for immediate implementation of HPC-Mizoram Accord

Sakawrdai, Aug 25: All political parties from Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) including the Congress, Mizo National Front, Zoram Nationalist Party and Mizoram Peoples Conference have called upon the Centre and Mizoram government to initiate talks with the Hmar Peoples’ Conference (Democratic) rebel leadership to solve the political crisis plaguing north eastern region of the state.

Coming down heavily on the government for “failing” to  implements the Sinlung Hills Development Council Accord, that was signed 17 years ago, the leaders said: “We are pained and disheartened by the fact that more than 17 years after the signing of Memorandum of Settlement between the Government of Mizoram and Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) on the 27th July 1994, the accord has not been implemented in letter and spirit.”

The leaders of these parties, in a joint statement, also called upon the Centra and the state government to initiate peace talks with remnants of the HPC rebels who are now called the Hmar Peoples’ Conference (Democratic).  “We strongly feel that, unsatisfied with the 1994 accord which was devoid of lasting peace and harmony, the HPC(D) is up in arms thereby creating disruptive atmosphere in the HPC demand area. The State Government and the Central Government must sit for a political dialogue with the HPC(D) for the existence of lasting peace and harmony in the area,” the leaders added in the joint statement released during the Peace Rally organised here today.

The full text of the All-party declaration is given below:-

To
Pu Lal Thanhawla
The Hon’ble Chief Minister,
Mizoram.

Subject: Representation on behalf of the people of Hmar Peoples Convention (HPC) demand area and the public declaration on the occasion of Peace Rally organised by All Party Leaders Committee, Sinlung Hills, Mizoram at Sakawdai, Saiphai and Suangpuilawn, on the 25th August 2011.

Hon’ble Sir,

In order to bring an amicable solution to the problems arising out of the demands of the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Government of Mizoram and the Hmar Peoples Convention (HPC) on the 27th July 1994. As a result, the law and order situation in the HPC demand area has improved to a great extent. The people of the area are thankful to you for your past effort. However, unsatisfied with the 1994 agreement, the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) was formed in order to bring home the pressing demands and aspirations of the people of the area in general and that of the Hmars in particular. A memorandum in this regard (dated 17th November 2009) has been submitted to you. We also appreciate the initiative of the Village Council (V/C) Coordination Committee in creating a conducive atmosphere for peace talk between the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) (HPC-D) and the Government. We are also happy with the response of your government in this regard.

However, due to the non-implementation of the points as enshrined in the MoS after a gap of 17 years, there has been lots of resentment and dissatisfaction in the minds of the people. Moreover, due to intermittent disruption of normalcy and the existence of violence, the people of the HPC demand area lived in constant fear and insecurity. The people of the area have also appealed to the HPC-D not to indulge in any act of violence and not to create a sense of fear and insecurity in the minds of the people.

With an aim to prevent the further deterioration of law and order situation and for existence of lasting peace and tranquillity in the HPC demand area in particular and the whole state in general, the All Party  Leaders Committee, Sinlung Hills organised Peace Rally on the 25th August 2011 at Sakawrtdai, Suangpuilawn and Saiphai villages, Mizoram. The public resolution on the day of the Peace Rally are as given below:

On this day, the 25th August 2011, we the participants of the PEACE RALLY organised by the All Party Leaders Committee at Sakawdai, Suangpuilawn and Saiphai villages have unanimously decided to appeal to the Government of Mizoram and the Government of India on the following points.

1. We are pained and disheartened by the fact that more than 17 years after the signing of Memorandum of Settlement between the Government of Mizoram and Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) on the 27th July 1994, the accord has not been implemented in letter and spirit.

2. We strongly feel that, unsatisfied with the 1994 accord which was devoid of lasting peace and harmony, the HPC(D) is up in arms thereby creating disruptive atmosphere in the HPC demand area. The State Government and the Central Government must sit for a political dialogue with the HPC(D) for the existence of lasting peace and harmony in the area.
3. While Mizoram is celebrating the 25 years of Peace Anniversary (1986-2011), the people in Sinlung Hills area are living in constant fear and insecurity. And in line with the appeal of the Government to the public to selflessly sacrifice oneself for the protection of peace and harmony, we now appeal to the Government to take in their part all necessary action for the peaceful settlement of all issues.

We hereby request you to sincerely look into the plight of the people expressed through this resolution and take all necessary action in resolving all conflicts arising out of the demands of the HPC(D).

Yours faithfully

(H.ZOLIANA)
Secretary
All Party Leaders Committee
Sinlung Hills
Mizoram

(LALNEIHTHANGA)
Chairman
All Party Leaders Committee
Sinlung Hills
Mizoram