Manipur Government reacts to Mizoram CM's remarks on "internal matter"
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 29 2024:
The Government of Manipur has disapproved the comments of Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on the internal matter of Manipur in an interview carried in the Hindustan Times under the caption 'Biren Singh a liability for party, state, people' .
One may recall that the Mizoram CM had recently given a controversial speech in the United States by calling for 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'.
Lalduhoma's political career is also otherwise not bereft of controversies.
He had joined politics after leaving the Indian Police Service.
In 1986, he earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first ever MP in the country to be discharged under anti-defection law.
Thirty-four years later in 2020, he also became the first MLA in the country to be disqualified on charge of breaching the same law.
In his interview, the Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by espousing imposition of President's Rule in Manipur while opposing boundary fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border.
He also calls for reunification of the Zo people.
He also talks about the possibility of armed militias in Manipur pointing their guns at Delhi and the need for disarming, and sincere negotiations with hill leaders.
He further questions the use of border fencing saying smuggling of guns, weapons and drugs could not be stopped along the Indo-Bangladesh border despite the existence of border fence.
The Mizoram Government has been steadfast in opposing the efforts of the Indian Government to fence its open borders with neighbouring Myanmar for the purpose of curbing illegal immigration, trafficking of arms and drugs, internal security and defence.
Myanmar is the origin of most of the illegal immigration and drugs problems that Manipur has been facing.
Lalduhoma may like to recollect that the Mizoram Government, in view of similar concerns of pressure on land, livelihoods and resources, had instructed Myanmar Nationals not to purchase land and run business without prior permission from the State Government.
In addition, the foreigners should also not enrol for Aadhaar, voter list or obtain driving license, amongst others.
The Mizoram CM is engaging in double standards when he criticises the decision of the Manipur Government to tackle the issue of illegal immigration similarly in Manipur as 'anti-tribal' .
The dignitary should understand that people in Manipur are also as human as those in Mizoram and feel the mounting pressure of illegal immigrants on land, livelihoods and resources equally.
The Biren Singh Government has been making continuous efforts towards restoration of peace and normalcy.
The Government has been providing food, clothing and shelter to over 60,000 persons staying in relief camps across the State.
Combing operations to recover arms and ammunition looted from police armouries continue to be undertaken with success.
Law-breakers have been brought to book and impartial investigations are underway in thousands of cases, closely supervised by SITs constituted by Centre.
Sensitive cases have been handed over to NIA and CBI.
A Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge is enquiring into the origins of the ethnic conflict.
Several efforts towards peace, including meeting of legislators convened have resulted in major developments with the Thadou community, the largest tribe in Manipur, and the Hmar tribe, expressing willingness to end the crisis, with the Meiteis and the Liangmai tribes reciprocating wholeheartedly.
India must be wary of the greater agenda of carving a Kuki-Chin Christian nation out of contiguous areas of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, played out over decades of meticulous planning, through illegal immigration, land grabbing, displacement of original indigenous peoples, formation of Kuki-Chm dominated districts, establishment of Autonomous District Councils, upgradation of such Councils to Scheduled Areas, amalgamation of Kuki-Chin areas and finally Nationhood.
One must be wary of any attempt to push illegal Kuki-Chin immigrants from Mizoram to Manipur for land grabbing and creation of Greater Mizoram as part of this process.
The Government of Manipur will not allow fragmentation of North East India at the behest of foreign vested interests, or such secessionist interests as openly espoused by the Mizoram CM.
Any individual, group or organization working with such intent shall be met with the strong hands of the law.
The Mizoram CM can display better statesmanship by being a good neighbour rather than stoke fire of hatred and division.
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