Mizoram Government to Sign Historic Peace Pact with Hmar Faction on April 14
The Mizoram government is set to sign a landmark peace agreement with the Lalhmingthanga Sanate-led faction of the armed underground Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) on April 14, 2024. This significant event will take place at Sakawrdai village in the Aizawl district, as confirmed by state home department officials on Monday.
Details of the Peace Agreement Signing
According to officials, the peace pact will be formally inked between the home secretary, representing the state government, and HPC(D) president Sanate, acting on behalf of the Hmar outfit. The ceremony will be held in the presence of Lalmuanpuia Punte, the adviser to the Chief Minister for political affairs. This agreement marks a crucial step towards resolving long-standing conflicts in the region.
The homecoming of 43 cadres from the HPC(D) faction is scheduled for April, during which these underground members will lay down their arms in front of authorities. This surrender process is a key component of the peace deal, symbolizing the end of armed resistance and the beginning of a new chapter for the community.
Background and Negotiations
The decision to sign the peace pact was finalized recently during a meeting between government officials and a delegation from the HPC(D), led by Sanate. This meeting was conducted at the office of Lalmuanpuia Punte in Aizawl, where both parties agreed on the terms to bring an end to the Hmar insurgency in Mizoram.
Sources indicate that the HPC(D) faction does not have any political demands. Instead, the agreement focuses on a comprehensive development package. This includes improvements to rural connectivity in the Sinlung Hills Council area, along with a rehabilitation package and general amnesty for all former underground cadres.
Rates of payment for surrendered arms will be determined in accordance with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensuring a fair and standardized process.
Historical Context of the Hmar Insurgency
The cadres of the HPC(D) faction led by Sanate represent the last remnants of the Hmar insurgency, which began in the late 1980s. The HPC(D) is an offshoot of the Hmar People's Convention (HPC), originally established in 1986 as a political party advocating for self-government in the northern and northeastern parts of Mizoram.
Since April 1987, the HPC engaged in an armed struggle aimed at establishing an autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This conflict escalated to extreme levels of violence by 1991, causing significant turmoil in the region.
Previous Agreements and Dissatisfaction
A memorandum of settlement was signed between the Mizoram government and the HPC on July 27, 1994, leading to the creation of the Sinlung Hills Development Council. Following this agreement, 308 HPC militants surrendered along with their weapons.
However, dissatisfaction with the implementation of this settlement prompted a section of cadres to break away from the overground HPC. In 1994, they formed the HPC(D) under the leadership of Sanate, continuing the insurgency until the present peace negotiations.
The upcoming peace pact is expected to finally conclude this decades-long conflict, bringing stability and development to Mizoram. It underscores the government's commitment to resolving ethnic issues through dialogue and inclusive policies.
