Mizoram ends all insurgency as 43 HPC(D) cadres lay down arms
Synopsis
Mizoram has quietly achieved what decades of negotiations could not — a complete end to ethnic insurgency. With 43 HPC(D) cadres laying down arms on 1 May 2025, the state now has zero active underground groups, a landmark that carries profound implications for the Northeast's security landscape and India's Act East ambitions.
Key Takeaways
43 cadres of the Hmar Peoples' Convention (Democratic) , Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction, surrendered arms on 1 May 2025 in Aizawl, Mizoram .
The surrender came 17 days after a bipartite peace agreement was signed on 14 April 2025 , following four rounds of negotiations.
Mizoram now has no active underground ethnic insurgent groups — a historic first for the state.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Home Minister K.
Sapdanga led the government's engagement; HPC(D) leader cited the Unity Bridge and Mauchar road improvements as confidence-building measures.
The HPC(D)'s origins date to disillusionment after the Peace Accord of 1986 ; a separate faction had already made peace in April 2018 .
Rehabilitation and reintegration packages for the 43 surrendered cadres are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Aizawl, Mizoram — 43 cadres of the Hmar Peoples' Convention (Democratic), belonging to the Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction, formally surrendered their weapons and returned to the mainstream on Thursday, 1 May 2025, marking a watershed moment in Mizoram's decades-long pursuit of lasting peace. The ceremony took place just 17 days after the faction signed a bipartite agreement with the Mizoram government on 14 April 2025, and effectively renders the state free of all active underground ethnic insurgent groups — a milestone that has eluded the region for generations.
The Homecoming Ceremony
The Mizoram government organised the 'Homecoming and Arms Laying Ceremony' at the Central Training Institute Parade Ground, Sesawng, in Aizawl district, in the presence of Chief Minister Lalduhoma. The event opened with a Bible reading and prayer led by Pastor Lalhmunsiama of ICI, Sesawng, reflecting the deeply spiritual character of Mizo civil society. The cadres formally handed over their arms to Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) H. Ramthlengliana, after which an oath-taking ceremony was conducted by Senior Superintendent of Police (CID) Stephen Lalrinawma, in which the surrendering cadres pledged to renounce violence permanently.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Lalduhoma welcomed the cadres and declared that Mizoram can now confidently be described as a truly peaceful state. He acknowledged that peace is hard-earned and demands sacrifice, describing the cadres' decision to lay down arms as an act of true bravery. He reiterated that the government has always remained open to dialogue and commended Home Minister K. Sapdanga and his team for their tireless efforts in achieving the breakthrough.
Lalduhoma also emphasised the unity of the Mizo community, asserting that there are no divisions within it and that any attempt to create such divisions will not succeed. He urged citizens to reject any ideology or action that could give rise to unrest and to work collectively to sustain peace and stability in the state.
Home Minister K. Sapdanga described the occasion as a historic day for Mizoram, attributing the agreement's success to the Chief Minister's personal commitment and sacrifices. Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama, who represents the Hmar Demand Area as the only ruling party MLA from the region, expressed satisfaction at the agreement's conclusion, noting that achieving peace there had always been among his foremost priorities.
The Insurgent Leader's Perspective
Lalhmingthanga Sanate, leader of the surrendering faction, acknowledged positive changes under the present government and appreciated the Chief Minister's understanding of their concerns. He cited key developmental initiatives — including the construction of the Unity Bridge and improvements to the Mauchar road — as confidence-building measures that influenced the decision. While noting that the agreement may not fully meet all expectations, he stated that it is acceptable and satisfactory, which ultimately led to the faction's decision to join the peace process.
Decades of Conflict: The Background
The roots of the HPC(D) trace back to the aftermath of the landmark Peace Accord of 1986, when sections of the Hmar community felt their aspirations remained unfulfilled. This disillusionment led to the formation of the Hmar Peoples' Convention. A 1994 agreement with the government resulted in the establishment of the Sinlung Hills Development Council, but a faction subsequently broke away to form the Hmar Peoples' Convention (Democratic) under Lalhmingthanga Sanate. Another HPC(D) faction, led by H. Lalsangbera, had already signed a peace agreement with the government in April 2018. Talks with the Sanate faction resumed in 2024 and, after four rounds of negotiations, culminated in the agreement signed on 14 April 2025.
What This Means for Mizoram
With the HPC(D)'s formal disarmament, Mizoram becomes one of the few northeastern states to have resolved all active ethnic insurgencies within its borders. The development carries significance not only for internal security but also for the state's investment climate and its role as a gateway to Southeast Asia under India's Act East Policy. The programme was attended by Lok Sabha MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, the Deputy Speaker, an Adviser to the Chief Minister, and several Members of the Legislative Assembly. The state government is expected to announce rehabilitation and reintegration packages for the surrendered cadres in the coming weeks.
Point of View
With cadres drifting back to crime or extremism when rehabilitation packages stall. The HPC(D)'s own history — born from the perceived failures of the 1986 accord and the 1994 Sinlung Hills Council — is a cautionary tale about the gap between signed agreements and lived outcomes. Chief Minister Lalduhoma's government deserves credit for closing this chapter, but the durability of this peace will be measured not in ceremonies but in whether the surrendered cadres find economic dignity in the years ahead.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hmar Peoples' Convention (Democratic) and why did it take up arms?
The Hmar Peoples' Convention (Democratic), or HPC(D), is a Mizoram-based ethnic insurgent group that emerged from sections of the Hmar community who felt their aspirations were unfulfilled after the Peace Accord of 1986 and the subsequent 1994 agreement that created the Sinlung Hills Development Council. The Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction was the last active arm of the group.
What happened at the arms-laying ceremony on 1 May 2025?
43 HPC(D) cadres formally surrendered their weapons to Inspector General of Police H. Ramthlengliana at the Central Training Institute Parade Ground in Sesawng, Aizawl, and took an oath renouncing violence. The event was presided over by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and attended by senior state officials and legislators.
Does Mizoram now have any active insurgent groups?
No. With the HPC(D)'s formal disarmament on 1 May 2025, Mizoram has no active underground ethnic insurgent groups — a historic milestone for the state and the broader Northeast region.
What led to the peace agreement with the HPC(D) Sanate faction?
Talks with the Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction resumed in 2024 and went through four rounds of negotiations before culminating in a bipartite agreement signed on 14 April 2025. Key confidence-building measures cited by the HPC(D) leader included the construction of the Unity Bridge and improvements to the Mauchar road.
What happens to the surrendered cadres next?
The Mizoram government is expected to announce rehabilitation and reintegration packages for the 43 surrendered cadres in the coming weeks, though specific details had not been disclosed as of the ceremony date.
