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The tremors of the ongoing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur are also being felt in the neighbouring state of Mizoram.
With an increasing number of displaced people from Manipuri seeking refuge in Mizoram, The Quint spoke to Mizoram’s Chief Minister Zoramthanga about how the BJP, with which his own party is affiliated, is handling the crisis.
He also opens up about Manipur CM Biren Singh's refusal to resign.
When questioned about whether the Central government and the Manipur government went horribly wrong in reading the situation on the ground, Zoramthanga said, "I believe that they tried their best but trying their best is not good enough."
"They should do more because there is a lot of suffering, a lot of deaths, and a lot of shameful things that have happened (in Manipur). And in order to solve the issue, both the Manipur government and the Central Government should do more."Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga
On being asked if he believes that Manipur's CM Biren Singh should have at least taken moral responsibility and stepped down by now, the Mizoram CM told The Quint, “It is up to Biren Singh to resign or not... He should consult with the BJP leaders in Delhi. Looking at what is happening, they will know best what to do.”
The Mizo National Front (MNF) is a member of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the region and a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.
When asked if he would reconsider his support for the NDA in light of whatever has happened in Manipur, Zoramthanga said, “There is no need to reconsider. We were the founding members of the NDA from the beginning with Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We were not with the Congress-led UPA group. Our support to NDA is issue-based.”
“If the issue involves any NDA policy that could be harmful to the people of Mizoram, we firmly disagree with it. But when it comes to development, political issues, and things which we can do together by being members of the NDA, we will happily support them,” explained the Mizoram CM.Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga
Since refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are already seeking shelter in the state, Mizoram is now facing an additional influx of displaced people from neighbouring Manipur.
About this, Zoramthanga said:
“A small state like Mizoram is financially struggling with poverty. We are not really prepared to receive hundreds and thousands of refugees from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and (now) Manipur. So, we need the assistance of the Central government. We requested them to help us in this matter in the form of material and finance... Our preparation and the kind of things we can do for the refugees are not enough.”
It has now been three months since the onset of the ethnic conflict in Manipur, and various solutions have emerged from different corners to pacify the tense situation.
Regarding the possibility of imposing President's Rule, a topic that many people are discussing, the Mizoram CM stated, “The decision on whether the imposition of President's Rule is good or not should be left to the Manipur government and the Union government as they know better what will be the best.”
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