2nd round of peace parleys in Mizoram to be held in October

Aizawl, Sep 21 (PTI) Mizoram government and the HmarPeople’s Convention (Democratic) would hold the second roundof peace parleys during the first week of October here, HPC(D)delegation leader Lalthalien said today. The negotiations could not be resumed as agreed earlierduring mid-September due to the tight schedule of the stategovernment officials, Lalthalien, a prominent church leader,told PTI. "We hope that the second round of the talks would befruitful and may take more than a day," he said. The talks would mainly centre around the demands of theHmar militant outfit seeking greater autonomy and more powerto the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC), Lalthaliensaid. Both the sides would deliberate on making the SHDC bettersuited for the people of the area, maybe even "better than anautonomous district council" under the Sixth Schedule of theConstitution, he said. The first round of negotiations was held here on August 10under cordial atmosphere and mutual trust on both the sides inwhich HPC(D) was represented by a delegation led by Lalthalienand comprising former President of Hmar Inpui (Hmar SupremeHouse) Dr John Pulamte, President of Hmar Students Association(HSA) Lalthlamuana Hmar, General Secretary of Hmar InpuiFrancis Songate, Rohringa and Thanglianchhunga. The state government delegation led by additionalsecretary for home, Lalbiakzama comprised Joint Secretary forhome Lalhriatpuia, SP, CID (SB) Rodingliana Chawngthu and OSD(Home) David H Lalthangliana. PTI HCV CRDIP