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As the bordering state of Mizoram on Thursday completed its peace journey of last 25 years since signing of the historic Mizo Peace Accord on this day in 1986, the celebration could have been with much more enthusiasm and encompassing all the tribes of the tiny state had the government been able to solve the issue of Hmar community.
The militant Hmar Peoples' Convention-Democratic has withdrawn from the suspension of operations agreement which was signed with the government last year, on the plea that there were no indications of the dialogue reaching a logical conclusion.
It has alleged that the Mizoram government lacked the commitment to hammer out a lasting solution to the problems faced by the community in the state. The HPC-D has threatened to wage war against the government if its demands were not met.
"The wayward attitude of the Mizoram government has given the impression that it is keener in derailing the peace process than opening honourable democratic platform to work out a solution to the legitimate demands of the Hmar people as enshrined in the Constitution," the HPC-D said in a press release to media houses, adding that the suspension of operations agreement signed with the government last year has ceased to exist.
The HPC-D, however, reiterated that it stood by its commitment to a peaceful solution and would welcome extension of the suspension of operations agreement.
Hmar tribe people inhabit north Mizoram and some adjacent areas in Manipur and Assam. The insurgency took root within the community in the early 1990s when the HPC was formed.
A subsequent accord between the HPC and Mizoram government resulted in the formation of Sinlung Hills Development Council in 1994. However, a section of the HPC rebels opposed the pact and floated the HPC-D which demands scrapping of the accord and voices for a fresh settlement that will address all the grievances of the community.
Under pressure from the HPC-D militant members of Sinlung Hill Development Council resigned en masse in March last to mount pressure on the government to accept the demands of the HPC-D.
The militant group has significantly made a plea for involvement of a United States-based missionary in the dialogue process to break the stalemate, but the government has rejected the plea as 'unacceptable' to involve any foreigner in a domestic issue.