Aizawl, September 18: The proposed second round of peace talks, scheduled to be held in the middle of this month, between the Mizoram government and the Manipur-based Hmar People s Convention (Democratic) was deferred, an official today said.
The postponement was not due to any problem between the two sides, but due to heavy engagement of the government delegation on the proposed Bru repatriation and other pressing matters, the official said.
The meeting of senior home department officials chaired by the state Home Minister R Lalzirliana on Tuesday next would take a decision on the date for the proposed second round of talks which would likely to be resumed next week or last week of the month, he said.
The first round of negotiations was held in Aizawl on August 10 under cordial atmosphere and mutual trust on both the sides, the official said.
The Mizoram government and the HPC (D) militants had made several efforts to find amicable solution to the Hmar imbroglio and the last talks held in 2013 fizzled out over the period of extension of the Suspension of Operation (SoO).
Landslides block roads, disrupt power supply in Aizawl
A massive landslide triggered by heavy rains since Friday last has blocked roads in at least 20 spots, disrupted power supply and damaged cemeteries in the city, Aizawl District Disaster Management Authority officials said today.
The landslides had blocked roads in at least 20 places within the state capital and work was on to unclog them, the officials said.
A number of electric poles were damaged causing power supply disruption, telecommunication lines were snapped in some places while mobile network also was disrupted in the state capital, the officials said.
The landslide also damaged two cemeteries and exposed more than 80 graves in Bungkawn and Khatla areas of the state capital.
Ten houses in Aizawl district were completely destroyed, six houses had to be dismantled and 17 families evacuated, the officials said.
Five persons, including a four-year-old girl, belonging to two families were killed when the landslide triggered by very heavy rains mowed down their houses in Tlungvel village yesterday.
