FOCS asserts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2023:
The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur has categorically stated that the Meiteis in Mizoram being advised to be cautious and stay in safe places is akin to casing them out.
Addressing the media at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal today, FOCS president Th Manihar said that an organisation named Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) recently asked Meeteis in Mizoram to leave the State before July 25.PAMRA, however, clarified that what they said actually was an advisory to the Meiteis to ensure their safety during a meeting with the Mizoram Government, Manihar said and continued that whatever PAMRA said is a quit notice to the Meiteis in Mizoram.
Amid this, the Mizoram Students' Union opted to launch a Meitei Census in the neighbouring State while Hmar Students' Association Mizoram has opined that it would be better for Meiteis to leave Mizoram, the FOCS president maintained.
Saying that FOCS had already drawn the attention of Chief Minister N Biren Singh on the unfolding situation in Mizoram through a relevant authority, Manihar said that the Manipur Government, unfortunately, aborted the initiative to airlift Meiteis from Mizoram.
Claiming that about 300/400 Meiteis waited for their flights at Lengpui Airport yesterday, Manihar expressed suspicion that it might have been the Central Government which disapproved the measure to airlift Meiteis.
The Manipur Government should either airlift the Meiteis in Mizoram or mount pressure on the Centre to ensure their safety, Manihar demanded.
It is truly unfortunate that the neighbouring State is interfering in the internal affairs of Manipur, Manihar continued and asked the Central Government, Mizoram Government and the all the above mentioned Mizoram based organisations to take full responsibility if any of the Meiteis in the neighbouring State is harmed.