AIZAWL, June 17 � Mizoram Government has stuck to its guns on the arrest of top leaders of the Hmar People�s Convention-Democrats even as United People�s Front (UPF) of Manipur urged both the Centre and the Mizoram Government to release them.
State Home Minister R Lalzirliana said that the HPC-D�s self-styled army chief Lalropuia and deputy army chief Biaknunga were arrested as the outfit has been indulging in illegal activities inside Mizoram including murder, intimidation and extortion.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla also accused the HPC-D of violating the terms and conditions of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed with the security forces under the supervision of the Union Home Ministry.
Lalropuia and Biaknunga were arrested on June 10 from Silchar airport by the Mizoram police and were brought to Aizawl the same day and were charged with murder, criminal intimidation and extortion.
The UPF condemned the arrest, saying �the HPC-D is one of the constituents of the UPF in signing the SoO and that the Mizoram Government should make approach for peace rather than arresting leaders of the militants who wanted that their demands be met without resorting to violence�. � PTI
