Meiteis in Mizoram are safe: Home Commissioner H. Lalengmawia

Mizoram Home Commissioner H. Lalengmawia on Thursday said that none of the Meitei community members living in the state was harmed even as a number of them have left the state for neighbouring Assam and Manipur.

Lalengmawia said that the state government had made elaborate security arrangements for the Meiteis after ethnic violence rocked Manipur from May 3.

“All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA), representing the Meitei community in the state, also issued press statements more than once thanking the Mizoram government, civil society organisations (CSOs), churches and the student bodies for maintaining peace in the state while Manipur has been burning,” he said.

Replying to a letter from Chief Secretary of Manipur state government, Lalengmawia earlier said that the state government swiftly reacted to the press release issued by the Peace Accord Mizo National Front (MNF) Returnees Association (PAMRA) on July 21 and he held a meeting with the leaders of the association on the next day.

“During the meeting, the representatives of PAMRA reported that they do not have any ill intentions with the Meitei community residing in Mizoram. The Press Release was issued merely as an advisory for the Meitei community to maintain caution in view of the prevailing public sentiment as a result of the recent viral video which displayed inhumane sexual violence against 2 (two) tribal women,” he said.

“Thereafter, I convened another meeting with representatives of PAMRA and the All Mizoram Manipuri Association wherein the issue was deliberated in detail. The leaders of the All Mizoram Manipuri Association found the clarification from PAMRA to be satisfactory,” the Home Commissioner said.

A senior state Police official said that the Meiteis left the state not because of the press release of the PAMRA but most probably because of the massive ‘Solidarity March’ being called by the NGO Coordination Committee.

“Violent activities always occurred after protest marches or rallies in other states like in Manipur on May 3, but never in Mizoram till date,” the official, on the condition of anonymity said.

Lalengmawia also sent a letter to the Assam Chief Secretary highlighting the steps taken by the state government and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of the Meiteis in the state of Mizoram.

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