Aizawl, April 15: In a landmark step towards lasting peace, the Government of Mizoram has signed a historic peace accord with the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) (HPC-D), effectively bringing an end to a decades-long insurgency in the state.
The Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with the Lalhmingthanga Sanate-led faction of the group at a formal ceremony held in Sakawrda, under the Sinlung Hills Council region. The agreement marks the culmination of years of negotiations and is being hailed as a major milestone in Mizoram’s peace process.
Under the terms of the pact, around 43 armed cadres of the HPC-D faction will lay down their arms and join the mainstream. A formal “homecoming” and surrender ceremony is scheduled later this month near Aizawl.
The agreement also lays out a comprehensive development roadmap for Hmar-inhabited areas, particularly in the northern and northeastern parts of the state. Key provisions include enhanced budget allocations, a special development package, infrastructure upgrades, and improved connectivity aimed at addressing long-standing grievances of the Hmar community.
Additionally, the pact recognizes Sikpui Ruoi, the largest Hmar cultural festival, granting it official status—an important symbolic step towards preserving the identity and heritage of the community.
Officials described the agreement as the final chapter in a series of peace efforts involving Hmar groups, following earlier accords in 1994 and 2018. With this latest development, Mizoram is now considered free from active armed insurgent groups, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in the Northeast.
The Hmar insurgency traces its roots to demands for autonomy and development in Hmar-dominated areas, with the movement dating back to the late 1980s. The successful resolution through dialogue highlights the importance of inclusive governance and sustained peace negotiations in the region.
The accord is expected to usher in a new era of stability, development, and reconciliation, benefiting both the Hmar community and the state as a whole.
