(Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio did not back Biren Singh as reported in a section of media, the fact is Rio said - ".... I am not going to comment".
"We have seen the statement of Chief Minister (Biren Singh) this morning. He not only asked the European Parliament but the entire north east not to interfere in their internal problems so I am not going to comment anything" - Rio told reporters.
New Delhi
In the wake of a blistering attack from Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga, now sources in Aizawl say the MNF government’s offer to help bring peace in the trouble-torn neighboring state was turned down by authorities in Imphal.
"In the first week of May itself within three days of violence, the Mizoram government decided to depute a Peace Team led by Mizoram’s Law Minister T.J. Lalnuntluanga. But the idea was not entertained," a source told this journalist.
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| Biren Singh, Conrad, Zoramthanga, Rio |
Mizoram Home Commissioner H. Lalengmawia was tasked by the Mizoram Chief Minister to ensure Team's travel andvisit to Manipur because "Zoramthanga could smell that the trouble could be bigger than a mere clash over ST status issue".
The Mizoram Home Minister spoke to the 'secretary to the Manipur chief minister' to convey the Mizoram government’s plans and offer but after about an hour or so,one SMS came with reportedly the message ‘negative’.
Mr Zoramthanga is a MNF leader and the state-based party in poll-bound Mizoram is part of the BJP-led NDA and North East Democratic Alliance.
He is also the senior most Chief Minister in the northeastern state.
(IANS story also made impact in Hindi websites and newspaper publication site)
In his speech on the occasion of Kargil Day function at Imphal on July 26, Biren Singh strongly condemned the use of 'abusive words' against him in a solidarity rally held at Mizoram capital Aizawl, which was also attended by Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.
Biren Singh urged Zoramthanga "not to interfere in the internal affairs of another state".
On Thursday, July 27, Biren Singh gave a media byte stating "Involvement of a Chief Minister in that particular rally, I think, it is not nice. I respect him (Mr Zoramthanga) as a senior but he has gone beyondethics. As a Chief Minister he should not interfere in other state's affairs...This applies to me too. When something happens in Assam, without the consent of the Assam CM, I cannot intervene or interfere".
A mega Solidarity rally was organised by the NGO Coordination Committee at Aizawl on July 25th and Chief Minister Zoramthanga also attended the same.
Mizos share ethnic bonds with Kuki and other tribal communities of Manipur hills and around 12,000of them including women and children are now residing in Aizawl and other places in Mizoram.
Sources in Mizoram government say even state Chief Secretary Dr Renu Sharma tried to reach out to the Manipur Chief Secretary about a 'goodwill mission' in May but was told that only chief minister BirenSingh will take a call if such teams from Mizoram should be allowed or not.
'The Shillong Times' (IANS)
ends
(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of the books 'The Talking Guns: North East India', and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views expressed are personal)
Meanwhile in Manipur, Meitei women staged protest against Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.
Khurai Apunba Meira Lup member Yumkhaibam Utara said the protest was staged against "Mizoram’s interference in Manipur's internal affairs".
Voicing dissent against Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s comment on the Manipur crisis, several women of Khurai Lamlong and Kongpal area staged protests and burned effigies of Zoramthanga on Friday.
During the protest, activists shouted slogans demanding the Mizoram government to stop meddling in Manipur’s internal affairs and inflaming the crisis in the name of ‘Zo unification’.
In the protest at Khurai Lamlong Bazar, protestors even thrashed Zoramthanga's effigy with sandals, decrying his "one-sided notion" on the Manipur crisis.
According to media report, “The solidarity march in Mizoram was a biased political ploy to paint the entire crux of the crisis in a different narrative; instead of being a good neighbour and helping to resolve the crisis, the unprovoked derogatory statements aimed at the people of Manipur shows Mizoram’s vested interest to break Manipur,” one activist said.
Activists advised the Mizoram chief minister to divert attention to his state instead.
Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the protest, Khurai Apunba Meira Lup member Yumkhaibam Utara said the protest was staged against Mizoram’s interference in Manipur's internal affairs.
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