Lay off : Biren to Mizoram CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2023: In a veiled reference to the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that no Chief Minister of neighbouring States should interfere in the internal matters of Mizoram.

Speaking at a Nupi Lan Day observation held at GP Women's College today, the Chief Minister stated that there is no disagreement or conflict between Manipur and Mizoram in connection with the Manipur crisis.

There are Meiteis in Mizoram and Mizos in Manipur.

Meiteis are there in Assam and Tripura too, Biren said.

He said, "I have no discord with either the incumbent or the former Chief Minister of Mizoram" .

One State interfering in the internal matters of another State is simply unacceptable.

Just because there is an issue concerning Meiteis in Assam, the Government of Manipur cannot incite the Meiteis to rise against the Government of Assam, Biren said.

"Meiteis settled in Assam are citizens of Assam.

I cannot interfere in their internal matters even if I am the Chief Minister of Manipur," he said.

There were several instances of former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga making statements, perhaps with an aim to get more votes, which amounted to undue interference in the internal matters of Manipur.

Again, the newly elected Chief Minister of Mizoram has been making statements which are akin to interference in the matters of Manipur, Biren remarked.

The newly elected Mizoram CM's allegation, "Commandos have been oppressing my people in Manipur's Moreh; Manipur Police commandos should stop oppressing my people" was rather unfortunate and unacceptable, he remarked.

The Chief Minister then pointed out that Moreh is a border town located within the geo-political boundary of Manipur and inhabited by many ethnic groups.

Whether they are Meiteis, Tamils, Meitei Pangals, Nagas or Kukis, all of them who are settled in Moreh are citizens of Manipur, Biren asserted.

Instead of making irresponsible statements and making undue interference in the internal matters of Manipur, the Mizoram Chief Minister may help in resolving the Manipur crisis, he said.

If the Mizoram Chief Minister is commenting on where police commandos should be deployed within the State of Manipur, he has clearly overstepped his limits, Biren said.

"I have been communicating regularly with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Tripura.

Apart from expressing deep concern over the current crisis of Manipur, they even offered to extend all possible help towards restoring peace in Manipur", he said.

The Chief Minister then called upon all the people of Manipur to know the enemies as well as friends and act tactfully.

It is rather unfortunate that some two/three unwanted incidents took place in the State recently.

A few men travelling on Imphal-Ukhrul road were detained and assaulted by some people in Lamlai area.

Again, two Rongmei women were detained and assaulted by some people at Bishnupur.

Such excesses should not be repeated, Biren said.

No one should commit excesses in the name of verifying the identity of travellers.

If one's identity is verified, one should be allowed to go, he said.

Asking why the two innocent women were beaten without any reason, the Chief Minister stated that the incident could have blown into a major issue had a joint meeting not been held yesterday itself.

The Chief Minister appealed to all people not to do anything which may escalate the present crisis.

Arrogance of some people should not be allowed to create new problems in the State, he said.

"We must know our friends as well as enemies.

All Kukis are not enemies.

Likewise all Meiteis and Nagas are not enemies.

Enemies are only those people who are working against the State," he continued.

The present crisis of Manipur was engineered by some armed immigrants.

In the name of searching those armed immigrants, no one should do anything which may create misunderstanding and tension among the communities who have been living together in the State since ages, Biren stated.

If any drug peddler or thief is rounded up, people should not take the onus of punishing them, Instead, the drug peddler or the thief should be handed over to police, he advised.

If everybody starts taking laws into their hands, the struggle to protect Manipur may take a wrong turn, he added.

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