The HPC (D) issued a press release today decrying the Mizoram government failing to uphold its commitment to finding a political solution to the Hmar issues in Mizoram. It even failed to take “any perceptible step” to extend the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, the HPC (D) stated. The government also failed to convey the date and venue for the talks as requested in writing by the group, the group stated. H Zosangbera, general secretary of the HPC (D), “government of Hmarram”, appended the press release.
“In the absence of any proactive interests on the part of the Government of Mizoram in extending the SoO period as well as in the progress of the ‘Hmar-Government of Mizoram talks’, the HPC(D), hereby, declares that the ‘Suspension of Operation’ between the Government of Mizoram and the HPC(D) has no longer existed,” the group stated.
According to the HPC (D), “wayward” Mizoram government is ‘keener in derailing the peace process than opening honorable democratic platform to work out a solution to the legitimate demands of the Hmar people.’
“If, however, the Government of Mizoram, realizing the need to uphold its constitutional responsibility, is willing to renew its commitment for talks, the HPC(D) stands to its commitment in finding a peaceful solution and will not stand on the way to the extension and redefining of the period of SoO. The HPC (D) wants people to know that while preparation for talks has been going on, talks have yet to start and the ball is in the court of the Government of Mizoram,” the HPC (D) stated.
The HPC (D) also called the accord of 1994 “blank,” deceptive and ‘outside the jurisdiction of the Indian Constitution.” The Accord is an insult to the Government of Mizoram as well as the affected people, the HPC (D) stated. “The Government of Mizoram should immediately stop inflicting injustices through this sham accord. The 1994 Accord cannot define or fulfill the political aspirations of the Hmar people. That blank accord should be declared null and void.”
The HPC (D) assures that it would not stand silent in the face of ‘institutional injustices to murder Hmar culture, language and literature’ and ‘exploitation by people in power.’
The HPC (D) also warned that no member of the Hmar tribe, or anyone, in any capacity, should aspire for the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC). “Any individual or group(s) not heeding the wishes of HPC (D) shall be responsible for the damage and consequences that their misdeeds will cause to their own people and to themselves. It is time to learn to denounce the grave insult slung on the face of the people in SHDC.”