IMPHAL, Oct 13 NNN: After India gained independence, the Hmar peoples are fragmented by different political boundaries, without their consent, and are compelled to negotiate political marginalisation in their respective states \u2013 Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura.
\nThis historical and political subjugation have severely reduced our political entity, distancing us from securing our constitutional rights, stated L Sanga Hmar who is one of the members, Joint Monitoring Group of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement between the Government of Manipur and the Government of India Hmar People\u2019s Convention-Democratic (HPC -D).
\nL Sangma Hmar said the urgent need to realise \u2018our constitutional rights to redress our dignity\u2019 as peoples has been the driving force behind the Hmar People\u2019s Convention (Democratic) objective to demand for \u2018Autonomous District Council\u2019 for the Hmar peoples in Assam, Manipur and Mizoram under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
\nIn the pursuit of securing this end, the Hmar People\u2019s Convention (Democratic) \u2013 Assam Region, has also initiated a political dialogue involving the Government of India and the Government of Assam after laying down arms by 56 cadres of HPC (D) which was hosted by the Government of Assam in the presence of the then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram at Guwahati on January 24, 2012. The first round of talks of the HPC (D) delegates \u2013 Government of Assam \u2013 the Central Government was held on September 27, 2012, Sanga Hmar disclosed.
\n\u201cSimilarly, since 1986, the Hmar People\u2019s Convention (HPC) has been demanding for the creation of Hmar Autonomous District in Mizoram. In spite of the Peace Accord that was inked between the Government of Mizoram and the HPC, there was no concrete solution to address and redress the rights of the Hmar People. As a result, the HPC (D) has been continuous the same demand in Mizoram to redress the historical and political injustices. Acknowledging the matter, the Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India) has been pressurising the Government of Mizoram to settle the political issues of the Hmars immediately. Following this and to pursue the unfinished agenda, the Government of Mizoram and the HPC (D) signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) on November 11, 2010 for a period of six months. The SoO document was signed by Lalropui, Army Chief HPC (D) and the Home Secretary Shri. Lalmalsawma, Government of Mizoram,\u201d the HPC-D leader recalled.
\nHe however alleged the Government of Mizoram had failed to nurture the peace process with seriousness, which resulted in derailing the hard earned peace process. Taking note of this, the Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs) continued to pressurise the Government of Mizoram to settle the Hmar political problems. The government of Mizoram digressed from peaceful approach and acted untowardly when the HPC (D) on the other hand, is made to engage in finding the channels for political dialogue with All Party Leaders of Mizoram, he stated. While handing out the carrot, the Government of Mizoram arrested the HPC (D) Army Chief Lalropui and Deputy Army Chief Lalbiaknung from Silchar airport on June 16, 2012 by the Mizoram police. Similarly HPC (D) Chairman Zosangber was again arrested from Delhi Airport by the Mizoram police when he was on his way to meet officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Government of Mizoram has severely failed to respect the peace process that has seemingly built, Sanga Hmar rued.
\n\u201cIn the context of Manipur, the HPC (D) political interest is collectively shared with the United People\u2019s Front (UPF), currently under SoO with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur. The UPF demands for an Autonomous Hill States within the state of Manipur. The HPC (D) did not sign the SoO documents in Manipur alone but as UPF, the document is collectively shared and signed along with the UPF members: KNF, KRA (U), UKLF, ZDV and ZRA. The HPC (D) has its designated Camp in Ankhasuo with ninety four (94) cadres enlisted. In Manipur, the HPC (D) will continue to abide by the goals shared within the UPF.
\nThe HPC (D) goals and objectives are independent in all its respective context and is free from the other. The SoO terms and conditions in Manipur, has no validity in other States. Therefore, the HPC (D) Manipur Region is not answerable for the HPC (D) of other regions\/States as the HPC (D) Manipur Region is particularly confined in Manipur under UPF,\u201d L Sanga Hmar stated.
\nFor all time to come, the HPC (D) Manipur Region as signatory of SoO in Manipur cannot be made responsible or related to any acts of the HPC (D) of other regions, L Sanga Hmar added.<\/p>\n\n