Mizoram CM says can’t stay quiet on Manipur: ’62nd day… situation worse’

The onset of May witnessed a brutal, untoward and uncalled-for incident in Manipur. At this very moment, 3:30am, July the 4th, 2023; nothing seems to have changed. We are counting, and today is the 62nd day.

While we hope with much goodwill, anticipation and hope, things would… pic.twitter.com/EKduEqrShY

— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) July 3, 2023

Referring to the Kuki-Zomi community in Manipur as his “Zo Ethnic brethren” and the victims of the violence as his kin, Zoramthanga again urged the Central government to release funds to Mizoram to aid its efforts to assist refugees from Manipur to the state.

The Kuki-Zomi community in Manipur shares a deep ethnic bond with the Mizos of Mizoram, which is also why thousands from the community have sought refuge in Mizoram.

Zoramthanga wrote, “I wish not to see anymore pictures and video clips of Churches being burnt, brutal killings and violence of all nature, regardless of gender and age. If there is ONLY one way of settling for peace, shall we opt for that? Many lives have been lost, bloodshed all over, physical torture & the victims are looking for refuge wherever possible. With no iota of doubt, those victims are my kin and kin, my own blood and should we quieten the situation by just being silent? I don’t think so!”

The “only one way” referred to by Zoramthanga could be understood as the Kuki demand for a separate administration, which has been raised by the community from the beginning of the violence and which has also been supported by multiple leaders of Zoramthanga’s Mizo National Front, which is a part of the BJP-led NDA.

In a reference to slogans used by the BJP, he wrote, “Development with a human touch and Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas applies to my Zo ethnic tribes in Manipur too!”

Seeking “immediate restoration of peace and normalcy”, he said: “It is incumbent and imperative upon those responsible and law-abiding citizens or entities of India to look for immediate ways for peace restoration.

The Indian Express had reported that Zoramthanga had written to the Prime Minister in May seeking financial assistance of at least Rs 10 crore to support the internally displaced persons from Manipur in the state. With the state yet to receive any financial support from the Centre, senior officials have been emphasizing that the state is facing a major resource crunch. It also has more than 30,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts.

“The brutal violence in Manipur has resulted in Internally Displaced People to the tune of 12,000 in Mizoram. Refugees and/or IDPs from Manipur, Myanmar & Bangladesh have risen to over 50,000. I wish & pray that the Central Govt., on humanitarian ground lend us an immediate helping hand,” wrote Zoramthanga in his post.

The violence in Manipur had begun on May 3 and has been continuing for more than 60 days now.