Aizawl, June 11 NNN: It is a huge setback for the Hmar Democratic Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) as the outfit’s self styled army chief Lalropuia and its self styled deputy army chief Biaknunga were arrested by Mizoram police on Sunday at 9 am from Silchar Airport.
This was announced today by Mizoram Home minister R.Lalzirliana during a press conference at his office chamber.
In this connection, R.Lalzirliana said the HPC (D) is now in Suspension of Operation agreement (SoO) with Manipur and Assam governments. “The agreement has been there since August 22, 2008 and all these while the Hmar militant group has been violating the terms and conditions of SoO by indulging in extortions, kidnapping and exposing their arms”, the Mizoram home minister alleged.
Last month, the Mizoram police had said it was prepared to act fast against state-based Hmar People’s Council-Democratic ( HPC-D) outfit if the militant group tries to create unwanted atmosphere in the state disturbing peace and tranquility.
Intelligence report had said that HPC-D was planning to bomb important power line like Manipur to Mizoram, Loktak Hydel Project and bridges along the NH-54 connecting Aizawl from Silchar. The militant group was targeting to destroy important places in Aizawl, said police department. In this regard the police department was planning to act against the militant group if they try to indulge in any unlawful activities so that the peaceful state is in danger.
A flag march covering most of the villages in HPC-D ‘Demand Area’ was conducted by the Mizoram police early last month.
It can also be noted that last month the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) General Headquarters, Sakawrdai Mizoram had alleged that the Mizoram government was reluctant in implementing the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed in 1994. The Hmar outfit then accused that the intervention of Young Mizo Association (YMA) recently in the HPC’s demand for Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, had been acting as disintegration force of the Mizos rather than unifying the community.
The HPC had said that when Mizoram was given the status of Union Territory under Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Act, 1971 and North Eastern areas (Re-organisation) Act 1971, it had been deleted from Sixth Schedule Para 20, Part III since 29 April 1972. “It no longer was Tribal Area, which will be regretted in future, and the then Mizo leaders are responsible for this. The districts of Lai, Mara and Chakma are the only districts under the Sixth Schedule. All these districts are within Mizoram, and are still administered by the ministers and government officials, and they never separated themselves from Mizoram, nor can’t they do so. Likewise, the Hmar people have simply demanded the creation of Autonomous District Council, which will but safeguard the Mizos”, the HPC had stated.
The Hmar outfit then quoted the MoS between the HPC and the Mizoram Government signed in 1994 which says, “The Government of Mizoram has appreciated the concern and pressing demand of the HPC delegation particularly regarding the political safeguard as available under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the government of Mizoram will take immediate measures for inclusion of an area to be specified with the HPC Demand Area of Mizoram and the other non-schedule areas of Mizoram in the schedule (Tribal) Area of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India so that the above-mentioned areas are safeguarded under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.”
“After such long period from 1994, the Mizoram government is not fulfilling its promise, just because it doesn’t take steps to fulfill”, the HPC stated, adding that in comparison that, the Indian Government was very faithful as it fulfilled the MoS which it signed with the Mizo National Front (MNF) in 1986.
The HPC then accused the Young Mizo Association (YMA) of disintegrating the Mizos rather than uniting the the community. “The YMA is apprehensive that the creation of Autonomous District Council is threatening the Mizo integration,” the Hmar outfit had added.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/hpcd-chief-arrested/
