Aizawl, April 7 The Mizoram government will sign a peace agreement with the faction led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate of the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic), or HPC(D), likely on April 14, an official said on Tuesday.
The agreement will be formalized between the Home Secretary, representing the state government, and Sanate at the Sakawrdai village in the Aizawl district, located in the northeastern part of the state bordering Manipur, the official said.
Sakawrdai also serves as the headquarters of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC).
The signing ceremony, which has been tentatively fixed for April 14, will take place in the presence of Lalmuanpuia Punte, MLA and Adviser to the Chief Minister (Political), he said.
The official noted that groundwork for the settlement has already been finalized, and the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) is currently being drafted.
The agreement will primarily focus on development assurances, specifically targeting infrastructure improvements, enhanced connectivity, the establishment of Eklavya Residential Schools, and the recognition of important Hmar festivals.
Additionally, the agreement will facilitate the formal surrender of about 40 HPC(D) cadres, allowing them to transition to civilian life, he said.
"Although the HPC(D) listed more than 60 cadres, the state government can only approve a limited number. Around 40 cadres are expected to lay down arms," the official told
The HPC(D) is a faction of the original Hmar People's Convention (HPC) led by Hmingchungnunga.
Founded in 1986 as a political platform for the Hmar community, the HPC eventually turned to armed insurgency to demand an autonomous district council (ADC) under the Sixth Schedule, specifically for Hmar-dominated areas in northern and northeastern Mizoram.
Following a 1994 peace accord with the state government, the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) was created to oversee 31 villages.
However, a faction led by Sanate, dissatisfied with the 1994 terms, resumed the demand for an ADC and rebranded as the HPC(D).
The group split again in 2011 after Sanate was impeached for signing a Suspension of Operation (SoO) in Manipur with other Kuki armed groups.
In April 2018, another faction led by H Zosangbera signed its own accord with the Mizoram government. That deal saw the surrender of 114 cadres and led to the establishment of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) under the SHC Act, which replaced the SHDC.
Until now, the Sanate-led faction remained outside the peace process, operating primarily from Assam's Cachar district and remaining linked to various criminal activities, including extortion.
This faction, though less active, is considered the last insurgent group causing disturbances in Mizoram.