New Delhi/Aizawl: In an increasingly heated exchange between the Biren Singh-led Manipur government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Mizo National Front (MNF), which is currently in the Opposition in Mizoram, the former has called out the MNF for “constant meddling in the internal affairs of Manipur”.
Earlier on Thursday, the MNF issued a statement demanding that Biren Singh “step down immediately”. Addressing a press conference in Aizawl, MNF general secretary (media and publicity) V.L. Krosshnehzova said that the Manipur CM’s “inaction and misuse of power have only worsened the situation, making his continuation in office both untenable and shameful”.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has been going on for more than one and a half years now. The Mizos share ethnic and kin ties with the Kuki-Zo community.
The MNF statement came days after party leader and Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram K. Vanlalvena demanded the imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur and the ouster of CM Biren Singh.
The statement called upon the BJP-led central government to take urgent and decisive action to end the crisis in Manipur, ensuring that the people “reclaim their democratic rights and dignity”. “The suffering inflicted upon ethnic Mizo brethren due to ethnic conflict has reached intolerable levels,” it read.
On the same day, in a strongly worded statement by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the Manipur government countered the MNF.
Terming the MNF as “anti-national”, the Manipur government said the party has been “consistently revealing its true colours” with its strong opposition to the efforts of the Indian government to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, stop the trafficking of arms and drugs, and check threats to the country’s internal security and defence.
“Myanmar is the origin of most of the illegal immigration and drugs problems that Manipur has been facing,” its statement read.
Sounding caution against what it termed as a “greater agenda of carving a Kuki-Chin nation out of contiguous areas of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh“, the statement announced that the Manipur government will “not allow fragmentation of North East India at the behest of foreign vested interests, either in Manipur or in its neighbourhood”.
“Any individual, group or organisation, working with such intent, shall be met with the strong hands of the law,” the statement read.
On the other hand, MNF leader V.L. Krosshnehzova Thursday pointed fingers at Biren Singh for the continuation of the conflict in Manipur, saying, “His leadership has not only failed to resolve the crisis but has also perpetuated the suffering of innocent people.”
The MNF statement called on all ‘Zofate (ethnic Mizos)’ to unite and safeguard their lives and livelihoods. “This is a time for resilience, compassion, and unwavering solidarity. We urge the people of Mizoram to continue their efforts, both individually and through organisations, to extend their support with renewed vigour,” its statement added.
On 22 November, Vanlalvena, in an interview with PTI, called for the removal of Biren Singh and the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur as “the first and immediate step” to end the ethnic conflict in the state.
Only two days later, Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba cautioned him against advocating for “separate administrative units” for the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo community in order to bring a “lasting solution” to the crisis.
Sanajaoba urged Vanlalvena to stop interfering in Manipur’s internal matters, reminding him to “remain a good neighbour”. “My friend, Don’t cross the line.. Please confine in your state issues.. Stop interferences in Manipur’s issues.. Be a good neighbour.. @VanlalvenaK,” Sanajaoba wrote in a post on X.
The Zoram People’s Movement-led Mizoram government, of late, has urged residents to exercise “extreme caution” amid a fresh spate of violence in neighbouring Manipur, leading to the loss of lives. A statement by the Mizoram home department has directed residents to refrain from any action that may instigate communal incidents within the state.
Placating the fears of the Meitei community members taking shelter in Mizoram and allegedly facing threats to leave the state, the Lalduhoma-led government has also announced that it would continue to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the local residents as well as those from outside the state.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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