Talks with Hmar rebels slated for mid-August

Imphal, Aug 1 (IANS) The Mizoram government is scheduled to hold parleys with the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) from the second week of August, for which it has set up a committee headed by state Home Minister R. Lalzirliana.

The panel will formulate the modalities of the talks with the Hmar group. The proposal had already been approved by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

The HPC (D) has been demanding creation of an autonomous district council comprising contiguous areas of Mizoram and other states.

Highly placed officials of Manipur, the state with a considerable population of Hmar tribals, feel the state government should also be taken into confidence over the coming parleys.