Kuki MLAs of Manipur to meet civil society leaders at Aizawl on Wednesday
'Aizawl Declaration' may talk about 'Greater Mizoram"
New Delhi/Aizawl
It may turn out to be an important day for the large Zo community that includes Kukis, Lushais, Hmars and other smaller Zomi- Chin groups.
The 10 legislators representing Manipur hill areas calling them Zo lawmakers and the civil societies of the same area will be holding a meeting in Mizoram capital tomorrow, May 17, Wednesday to decide on their future course of action.
Especially those who have been dreaming 'Greater Mizoram' favour 'Zo Re-unification' of all the ethnic Zos or Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes under a single administration. There is a mega international ramification as the areas sought under one roof include Mizoram, Manipur (hill areas), Chin state of Myanmar, Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, Tripura hill areas (Jampui range) and even areas in southern part of Assam.
The Manipur MLAs and civil society leaders meet may adopt a formal resolution calling it the Aizawl Declaration or so, sources said.
All the 10 MLAs including from the BJP in Manipur assembly airdashed to Aizawl on Tuesday from Delhi.
The demand of Greater Mizoram has already figured among certain sections while some public leaders seem to suggest it may not be wise to rake up such demands at this juncture as socio political conditions are not conducive.
A few banners in Kangpokpi district in Manipur in support of Separate Administration and Kuki Land have already irked the centre. During his meetings with state politicians including Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and other leaders and civil society leaders on Sunday and Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that while no perpetrators of violence will be spared; the top most priority as of now should be restoration of peace.
In interaction with civil society leaders from Mizoram including Young Mizo Association and Mizo Students Union, Mr Shah assured that he is closely monitoring things. The food supply has been transported to affected areas in BJP-ruled Manipur state, the civil society leaders said.
A team of leaders of civil societies in Mizoram met Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday and submitted a memorandum asking the centre to intervene and bring peace expeditiously in violence-hit Manipur.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation faced by thousands of people who have lost their lives, houses, property, vehicles and other belongings. As a result of this devastating incident, our people in Manipur have had to flee their homes and take refuge in our state i.e. Mizoram," the memorandum stated.
So, the Central government and Manipur state government should take this matter seriously and to provide compensation for the loss of life and damages incurred as a result of this incident, it said.
Hundreds of students from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal; Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal; National Sports University, Imphal and other institutes in Manipur had left their studies and evacuated to their respective states, the civil society leaders said.
The central government should make arrangement for students from outside the state to continue their studies in other states, they said.
“It is also to remind you that the Zo-ethnic peoples are the indigenous peoples who have occupied the hill areas of Manipur from time immemorial. They have a rich cultural heritage and have made significant contributions to the social, economic, and political fabric of the region. It is truly heartbreaking to see that they are facing lot of problems in their own land due to the prevailing ethnic violence."
The civil society leaders included Vice President Young Mizo Association (YMA) Lalhmachhuana, representative of Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) or elders association Lalbiakmawia Khiangte, President of Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or women’s association Ngurmawii Sailo and leaders of Mizo Students Union (MSU) Laldinsanga and Mizo Students Federation Jacob Lalmuanpuia.
Of course, Myanmar also has overwhelming presence of Chins or Zomis and they share ethnic bond with Mizos, Kukis and Hmar ethnic groups in India.
The Mizo leaders and Chins have been talking about 'greater Chin or Zomi land' on earlier occasions as well.
Congress leaders from Manipur including MPCC president K Meghachandra and former Manipur CM and CLP leader O. Ibobi Singh also rushed to Delhi on Tuesday.
Ends
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