‘It’s time Biren Singh govt is removed and Manipur brought under President’s rule’: Mizoram lone RS MP K Vanlalvena

The Mizo National Front (MNF) leader also calls for the creation of a separate administration for both Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur in order to ensure peace.

"The violence has continued for far too long – and now, it is time that the Biren Singh government is removed," Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena said. (Photo: K Vanlalvena/ Twitter)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

With the conflict between the Kuki and the Meitei communities raging in the strife-torn Manipur over the last one-and-a-half months, the neighbouring state of Mizoram, whose people share ethnic bonds with Kukis, continues to keep a close watch on the unfolding situation. Since the violence began on May 3, a number of Mizo politicians, cutting across party lines, have made public declarations of support for the “separate administration” demand made by Kukis, drawing flak from sections of the dominant Meitei community in Manipur.

But the Mizo leaders insist on speaking out, citing their shared ethnic ties with Kukis. The most vocal of them, Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena, who is with the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party, has said that President’s Rule should be imposed in Manipur. The MNF is an ally of the NDA. In an interview with The Indian Express, Vanlalvena stresses on the need for urgent intervention by the Centre, even as he underlines Mizoram’s unique position in the current crisis. Excerpts:

It has been more than 40 days of violence in Manipur. What is the way forward?

Only two things can bring immediate relief. One is to create a separate administration for both Meitei and tribal [Kuki] communities in Manipur. They need protection from each other. Meiteis are more in population but they also need protection. In the same manner, the tribal community also needs protection.

Don't miss | Mizoram CM Zoramthanga: ‘Meiteis residing in Mizoram have nothing to fear as long as they are in state’

The other [thing], in my personal opinion, is imposing President’s Rule. The violence has continued for far too long – and now, it is time that the Biren Singh government is removed. The Centre should put the state of Manipur under President’s Rule. The Central forces have to take over.

These are the two things to establish peace since both communities have suffered enough.

There are 10,000 internally displaced people from Manipur taking shelter in Mizoram. How is the state coping?

That’s not all. Apart from Manipur, we have more than 30,000 refugees from Myanmar. Another 2,000 from Bangladesh. We are trying our best to help them… but we are not a rich state. The pandemic has also taken its toll. The NGOs have collected funds through donation drives – but that is not enough. A delegation from Mizoram recently met the Union Home Secretary to request for funds. The Home Secretary said that it was the duty of the Union ministry to protect these people [displaced from Manipur]. They have promised to help…However, they have not mentioned the amount yet.

What are the specific steps the Mizoram government has taken to help the people displaced from Manipur?

A panel to handle “internally displaced persons” from Manipur has been set up. Official circulars to admit children in schools have also been notified. We are trying our best to give them primary education at least but it is difficult. For example those who were studying MBBS, we cannot incorporate them because we do not have many seats… we have only one medical college. The NGOs — Mizo Student Union, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, Young Mizo Association — are collectively setting up camps, holding donation drives. In a way, their work is more than that of the state government.

There is criticism from Manipur that Mizoram is interfering with its internal affairs…

We have to interfere… because they [Kukis] are our brothers and sisters. They are all Zo people, ethnically related to us. We love them as they love us. I even wrote on Twitter that if they [Mizo ethnic tribes of Manipur] feel that they do not have their own MP representing them, I am their MP.

First published on: 19-06-2023 at 09:55 IST