Mizoram: HPC (D) cadres arrive for ‘home coming ceremony’ to warm reception

AIZAWL, April 9, 2018: Cadres of Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) have arrived at Sesawng village near Aizawl for the '"home coming ceremony" or "arms laying down ceremony" which will be held this coming Friday, one day later than the earlier schedule.

Additional Secretary, Home department of Mizoram, Lalbiakzama said that altogether 103 HPC(D) cadres will lay down 48 arms, mostly sophisticated, during the "home coming ceremony" or "arms laying down ceremony" to be held at Central Training Institute (CTI), Mizoram Home Guard headquarters at Sesawng village, about 39 km from Aizawl. The officer said that the cadres were picked up by the government from Zilthaw on Mizoram-Manipur border on Saturday, and they have arrived at Sesawng village the same day.

The "home coming ceremony" or "arms laying down ceremony" is expected to be attended by a large number of people. Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and Mizoram Home minister R. Lalzirliana are expected to address the ceremony. Hmar leaders will also address the occasion, he said.

Upon arrival at Sesawng village, the HPC (D) cadres led by the outfit's Deputy Army Chief Lalbiaknunga were accorded warm reception. The cadres will be camping at CTI Complex for rehearsal for the "home coming ceremony".

Earlier, the HPC-D cadres were also given tributes and reception at Sakawrdai village, the proposed headquarters for Sinlung Hills Council (SHC).

HPC(D) leaders said that the cadres were happy to "come overground and lead normal life". He added that many Hmar leaders from outside Mizoram will attend the "home coming ceremony" at Sesawng village. He further said that Hmar leaders will submit a proposal for formation of council for interim period after the ceremony.

The Mizoram government and HPC(D) faction led by H. Zosangbera signed peace accord on April 2, 2018 to end 24 years Hmar political problems in Mizoram.

As per the provisions of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), the existing Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC), which was created in 1997 after signing peace accord between the Mizoram government and the erstwhile Hmar People's Convention (HPC) on July 27, 1994, would be rechristened as Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) by an act of state legislature. It will be accorded administrative autonomy within the framework agreed upon by both parties, in the sphere of socio-economic, political and cultural development of the people under the jurisdiction of the SHC.

The SHC shall consist of 14 members including 2 nominated members preferably from minority communities to be headed by Chief Executive Member (CEM). The council will initially function for interim period of 6 months.

The MoS also stipulated that the state government would grant amnesty to all the HPC (D) cadres having criminal cases in the state and will take step for relief and rehabilitation/ex-gratia for all the cadres.

Source and Image Courtesy: Morung Express