Imphal: The Manipur government has strongly disapproved of the recent remarks made by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma regarding the state’s internal matters. It stated that the Mizoram CM could exhibit better ‘statesmanship’ by being a good neighbor rather than stoking hatred and division.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, the Manipur government said, “The Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by advocating for the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur while opposing the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border. He also calls for the reunification of the Zo people, mentions the possibility of armed militias in Manipur turning their guns towards Delhi, and emphasizes the need for disarmament and sincere negotiations with hill leaders.”
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The statement also noted that the Mizoram CM questioned the effectiveness of border fencing, claiming that smuggling of guns, weapons, and drugs has not been curtailed along the Indo-Bangladesh border despite the presence of a fence.
This reaction follows Lalduhoma’s remarks during a November 28 interview with Hindustan Times, titled ‘Biren Singh a liability for party, state, people’, where he criticized Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s governance. “I am sorry to say that he is a liability to the state of Manipur. He has been a liability to his own people and his party. If his service is still needed, in my opinion, it is a necessary evil—more evil and less necessary,” the Mizoram CM was quoted as saying. “If we are going to compare President’s Rule with the current government, then President’s Rule is much more preferable,” he added.
The Manipur government’s statement also criticized Mizoram’s opposition to the Indian government’s efforts to fence its open border with Myanmar, intended to curb illegal immigration, arms and drug trafficking, and address issues of internal security and defense. It emphasized that Myanmar is the source of most of the illegal immigration and drug problems affecting Manipur.
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“The ongoing crisis in Manipur is a result of illegal immigrants from Myanmar whose economy, driven by the cultivation of illicit poppy, suffered a severe hit under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s ‘War on Drugs.’ It is not due to any anti-tribal policy of the state government, as falsely portrayed by the Mizoram CM through fabricated narratives and historical distortions,” the statement read.
The Manipur government also reminded the Mizoram CM of Manipur’s rich history and culture, which dates back thousands of years, in contrast to Mizoram, which was carved out of Assam only a few decades ago. It pointed out that the princely state of Manipur, with an area of 8,620 square miles and a population of 5.12 lakh, formally merged with the Union of India in October 1949.
The statement highlighted a 122% increase in the number of villages in certain Kuki-dominated districts of Manipur between 1969 and the present, compared to a mere 9% increase in Naga-dominated districts. “The Mizoram CM appears unable to comprehend the reasons behind this abnormal increase in villages, many of which are in forested areas,” it said.
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It further noted that Mizoram, due to similar concerns over pressure on land, livelihoods, and resources, had instructed Myanmar nationals not to purchase land or run businesses without prior permission from the state government. Mizoram also prohibits foreigners from enrolling in Aadhaar, the voter list, or obtaining driving licenses.
“The Mizoram CM engages in double standards by criticizing Manipur’s measures to tackle illegal immigration as anti-tribal,” the statement alleged, adding that “the people of Manipur are as human as those in Mizoram and equally feel the mounting pressure of illegal immigration.”
The Manipur government also referred to a controversial speech by Lalduhoma in the US, where he allegedly called for the formation of a Christian nation by carving out areas from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India. “In his words, ‘I want us to have the conviction and confidence that one day, through the strength of God, who made us a nation, we will rise together under one leadership to achieve our destiny of nationhood.’”
The statement warned against what it described as a long-term agenda to create a Kuki-Chin Christian nation spanning Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh through illegal immigration, land grabbing, displacement of indigenous peoples, and the formation of Kuki-Chin-dominated districts. It accused Mizoram of pushing illegal immigrants into Manipur to further such ambitions.
“The Government of Manipur will not allow the fragmentation of Northeast India at the behest of foreign vested interests or secessionist agendas as openly espoused by the Mizoram CM. Any individual, group, or organization working with such intent will be met with the full force of the law,” the statement concluded.
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