Neighboring Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Duhoma has demanded President's rule in Manipur, criticizing the BJP Chief Minister N Biren Singh government for the 18-month-long violence between the Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups.
In an interview given to the Hindustan Times, Lalduhoma said, 'I am sorry! But it has to be said that Biren Singh failed to take charge of the state of Manipur. He also failed to lead the people of Manipur and the BJP. President's rule should be imposed in Manipur very soon.'
Opposing the fencing of India-Myanmar border, Lalduhoma said, 'All militias in Manipur should be disarmed for permanent peace.'
The Manipur government issued a counter statement strongly criticizing Lalduhoma's statement. The Manipur government has expressed concern over the theory given by Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Duhoma of forming a 'larger Christian state with Kuki, Chin and Jo ethnic groups'.
A few days ago, Lalduhoma gave a controversial speech in the United States. There he called for the formation of a Christian state with parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar and India.
After his speech, the long-standing ethnic and political debate between Manipur and Mizoram has heated up anew. Again, Lalduhoma's interview with Hindustan Times brought the much-discussed debate on the concept of 'Greater Mizoram' back to the fore. It has also raised concerns about the territorial and demographic balance of neighboring states. Along with this, the concern of the Manipur government has increased about 'Kuki-China Christian Nation' and 'Greater Mizoram Agenda'.
In response, the Manipur government in a statement warned the public, 'We should be wary of any attempt to grab land and create a Greater Mizoram by sending illegal cookie-cutter migrants from Mizoram to Manipur.'
In a statement criticizing Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Duhoma, the Manipur government said, 'Lal Duhoma was the country's first member of Parliament in 1986, who has the stigma of being removed under the anti-defection law.'
In a statement, the Manipur government further noted, 'Thirty-four years later in 2020, he became the first MLA in the country to be disqualified for allegedly violating the same law.'
It should be noted that communal violence has been going on in the state of Manipur since September 1. Meanwhile, it is feared that the conflicting statements of the Chief Ministers of Mizoram-Manipur will increase the tension.
