Aizawl, Dec 5: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced that the state government is set to sign a peace agreement with a faction of Hmar militants, aiming to restore stability in the region.

Addressing the general assembly of the Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) during the Sikpui Ruoi festival at Saipum in Kolasib district, near the Assam border, Lalduhoma said negotiations are ongoing with the Lalhmingthanga Sanate-led faction of the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) (HPC-D) to facilitate the reintegration of militants into normal life.

“We are hopeful that we can soon finalize an agreement to bring lasting peace to Mizoram, especially in Hmar-dominated areas,” the Chief Minister said.

The Sanate-led HPC-D faction had earlier demanded an autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to secure administrative autonomy for Hmar-majority villages in northeastern Mizoram, near the Manipur border.

In contrast, the rival H Zosangabera faction of HPC-D had signed a peace accord with the state government in April 2018, leading to the creation of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) for Hmar-populated regions. Unlike the Zosangabera faction, the Sanate-led group is mainly active in Assam’s Cachar district.