Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has expressed his deep concern over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, questioning when it will come to an end. He highlighted the loss of lives, bloodshed, physical torture, and the desperate search for refuge by the victims. Zoramthanga’s statement comes after the house of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) leader and spokesperson Seilen Haokip was burnt down in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
The incident occurred shortly after the lifting of the blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), which had been in place for 54 days. The KNO and United People’s Front (UPF) announced the withdrawal of the blockade in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for peace and harmony. However, it is suspected that a section of the Kuki-Zomi community, who opposed the withdrawal, may be involved in the arson attack.
Zoramthanga’s statement emphasized the need for immediate restoration of peace and normalcy. He urged responsible and law-abiding citizens to work towards peace, while also appealing to the Central government to provide assistance on humanitarian grounds. The Mizoram Chief Minister highlighted that the violence in Manipur has led to the displacement of over 12,000 tribals in Mizoram and has created a total of 50,000 refugees and internally displaced people from Manipur, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
Since the onset of the ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, thousands of tribals have sought refuge in Mizoram. Additionally, Mizoram has been providing shelter to around 35,000 people who fled from Myanmar following the military takeover in February 2021 and over 1,000 tribals who escaped from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeast Bangladesh due to armed conflict.
Zoramthanga’s plea for peace echoes the sentiments of many affected by the violence in Manipur. The situation remains tense, and there is a pressing need for concerted efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed, safeguard lives, and provide support to those displaced by the violence. The Mizoram Chief Minister’s call for assistance from the Central government underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for a united effort to restore peace and harmony in the region.
