Aizawl, April 15: In a landmark development, the Government of Mizoram on April 15 signed a peace agreement with the Lalhmingthanga Sanate-led faction of the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), bringing an end to decades of insurgency in the state.
The Memorandum of Settlement was formalised at Sakawrda, headquarters of the Sinlung Hills Council, in the presence of senior officials and community leaders. The agreement was signed by Home Secretary David Lalithantluanga and HPC(D) president Lalhmingthanga Sanate, with Lalmuanpuia Punte also attending the ceremony.
The accord lays out a detailed development roadmap for the Hmar-dominated regions under the Sinlung Hills Council, focusing on increased budgetary support, a special development package, infrastructure enhancement, and improved connectivity. Authorities said the agreement aims to address long-standing developmental concerns that have contributed to unrest in the region.
As part of the settlement, 43 cadres belonging to the Sanate-led faction will surrender arms and join the mainstream. A formal “homecoming” ceremony has been scheduled for April 30 at the Central Training Institute in Sesawng, near Aizawl.
In a significant cultural recognition, the agreement also accords official status to Sikpui Ruoi, the largest festival of the Hmar community celebrated annually on December 5.
Describing the pact as a milestone, Punte said it marks the conclusion of ethnic insurgency in Mizoram, adding that development-oriented initiatives are key to ensuring lasting peace. Lalithantluanga noted that previous accords signed in 1994 and 2018 had addressed earlier phases of militancy, with the 2026 agreement completing the peace process.
Sanate acknowledged the sacrifices made during more than three decades of armed struggle, stating that while the agreement may not meet all initial demands, it represents a constructive step towards peace and reconciliation.
The Sanate-led faction was the last active Hmar insurgent group since 1996, and the agreement is widely seen as closing the final chapter of militancy in the state.
