2nd round of peace talks between Mizoram govt, HPC (D) likely

to be postponed Aizawl, Sep 20 (PTI) The second round of peace talksbetween the Mizoram government and Manipur-based Hmar People’sConvention (Democratic), initially slated to be held in Aizawlby mid-September, is likely to be postponed to the last weekof the month or first week of October, a senior Homedepartment official today said. The official said the delay was unavoidable and thedate would soon be fixed after state Home Minister RLalzirliana held consultations with Chief Minister LalThanhawla on the five-point demands of the HPC (D) delegation. The meeting of senior home department officialschaired by Lalzirliana today deliberated on the demands of theHmar militant outfit and decided to consult the ChiefMinister, the official said. Sources in the HPC (D) delegation said the main demandof the militant group was according higher autonomy and powerto the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC), constitutedin accordance with the accord inked between the stategovernment and the erstwhile underground HPC in 1994. The first round of negotiations was held in Aizawl onAugust 10 under cordial atmosphere and mutual trust on bothsides, the top state official said. The SHDC was established in the areas where Hmarcommunity were in majority. PTI HVC SUS GVSPS