Civil society, church leaders want resumption of peace talks

Aizawl, Jan 14 (PTI) The meeting of representatives of all civil societies and church leaders at Mizoram-Manipur border Sakawrdai village yesterday expressed the desire for resumption of peace talks between the state government and the Hmar People's Convention - Democrats. The meeting, held in the wake of the Union Home Ministry's instruction to the Mizoram government to resume parleys with the HPC-D, endorsed the efforts made by all political parties of the area. Mizoram government, however, has earlier said that it would not say 'yes' to everything the Home Ministry said and that the stance of the government would be clarified to the Centre. State home minister R Lalzirliana said that it would also be difficult to decide which faction of the HPC-D would the government talk to. The HPC-D faction, led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate also snubbed the overtures of the political parties in the area saying that the political parties in the area, especially HPC led by Thanglianchhung did not have any right to urge for negotiations.