SUMMARY

HPC (Hmar People’s Convention) was formed in 1986 as a political party with the aim of gaining limited self-governing of the north and north-eastern parts of Mizoram in north-east India. The objective is to incorporate all the Hmar inhabited areas in the district of Mizoram. However, despite the status as a political party during the first year of existence, HPC has been engaged in an armed struggle against the government since 1987. However, the violence has never been intensive enough to be included in the state-based category of armed conflict in UCDP data.

HPC has been engaging in extortion in order to finance its activities. In 1992, after approximately five years of armed struggle, HPC delegates met with the Mizoram government in order to initiate peace talks on ministerial level. Two years later, on 27 July 1994, after nine official talks, the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed. Subsequently, 308 armed HPC cadres laid down their arms. An additional result from the nine round talks was the establishment of the Sinlung Development Council. The council was established in order to create a jurisdiction in north-east Mizoram and thus increase the nominal influence of the Hmar people. However, despite the increased influence, a faction within HPC was dissatisfied with the council as HPC initially demanded further autonomy and an increased jurisdiction in Mizoram. A splinter group, HDC – Democracy, was created in order to continue pursue their demands.

HPC has been involved in the one-sided category of UCDP organised violence.