Mizoram Protests Trigger Fear Among Meitei Population Residing in the State

MIZORAM: Tensions have escalated in Mizoram and around 700 individuals belonging to the non-tribal Meitei community have left the state out of fear. The departure comes in the wake of an advisory issued by the Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) following the circulation of a distressing viral video showing the humiliation of two tribal women by a mob in Manipur.

The Mizoram government had previously assured the Meitei people of their safety, urging them not to leave the state. According to police officials in Aizawl, the Meitei individuals left Mizoram by road through Assam and also arranged flights for their departure. For years, approximately 2,000 to 2,500 Meitei families from Manipur and Assam have been residing in various parts of Mizoram, including Aizawl, engaged in government, non-government work, studies, and business. The Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association clarified that they did not explicitly instruct the Meitei people to leave Manipur but issued an advisory urging them to remain vigilant due to the volatile situation in the state.

However, the All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA) vice president Rambir Singh has expressed that the recent protest rally in Mizoram organized by a conglomerate of major civil society organizations, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), has added to the insecurity felt by the Meitei community. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, ministers, legislators, and various party members participated in the protest rally in Aizawl, expressing solidarity with the Kuki-Zo ethnic community in Manipur. Despite the solidarity march, there have been no reported untoward incidents, according to the police. Last month, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh conversed with his Mizoram counterpart, Zoramthanga, seeking security for the Meitei community in Mizoram, and received assurances of adequate protection.

Meanwhile, the violence in Manipur has caused a significant number of displaced Chin-Kuki-Zo community members, amounting to 12,584 people, to seek refuge in Mizoram in search of safer places. These displaced individuals are currently residing in relief camps, rented houses, community centres, and church complexes.

As tensions persist, the Mizoram government faces the challenging task of ensuring the security and well-being of both the Meitei community and the displaced Chin-Kuki-Zo community members, amid efforts to promote peace and harmony in the region. The situation remains sensitive, and authorities must work diligently to restore calm and instil a sense of security among the affected communities.

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