AIZAWL/IMPHAL — BJP’s ally Mizo National Front (MNF) on
Thursday demanded the resignation of the Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh
alleging that he utterly failed to deal with the over 18-month-long ethnic
crisis.
MNF General Secretary V.L. Krosehnehzova said that the
suffering inflicted upon the Zofate (same community) brethren due to ethnic
conflict has reached intolerable levels.
He said that Chief Minister Singh’s “inaction and misuse of
power have only worsened the situation, making his continuation in office both
untenable and shameful”.
Biren Singh’s leadership has not only failed to resolve the
crisis but has also perpetuated the suffering of innocent people, said MNF, a
constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The MNF demanded that the Central government should take
urgent, decisive action to end this crisis once and for all, ensuring that the
people of Manipur reclaim their democratic rights and dignity.
“Under Biren Singh’s administration, as of November 22, the
violence has claimed 219 lives of our ethnic kin, destroyed nearly 360
churches, and left countless others injured.
Over 7,000 homes have been burnt, and 200 villages reduced
to ashes. More than 41,425 individuals are displaced and forced to live as
refugees within their own country. Such atrocities demand not just leadership
but an unrelenting pursuit of justice and restoration,” the MNF said.
The MNF, which governed Mizoram for many years and until
November last year, said that in a nation celebrated as the world’s largest
democracy, the continued erosion of human rights and attacks on religious
sanctuaries betray the foundational values of justice and secularism.
That an elected government would stand idle amidst such
suffering is an affront to democracy and a global embarrassment, the party
said.
It said that the former MNF government, under Chief Minister
Zoramthanga, had shown exemplary leadership in extending substantial assistance
to the displaced people.
Refugees from Manipur, Myanmar, and Bangladesh have been
provided with food, shelter, and education in Mizoram and even now, MNF leaders
and MLAs have travelled to Manipur, offering direct support to the tribal
people.
“We call on all Zofate (Zo tribal community) to unite and
safeguard the lives and livelihoods of our people. This is a time for
resilience, compassion, and unwavering solidarity. We urge the people of
Mizoram to continue their efforts, both individually and through organisations,
to extend their support with renewed vigour.”
The MNF General Secretary in his statement said that the
crisis also underscores the importance of fearless representation.
“We commend Mizoram Rajya Sabha Member K. Vanlalvena for
raising this issue with courage in Parliamentary debates, amplifying the voice
of the Zofate community and advocating for justice.
The contributions of churches, voluntary groups, and student
unions in Mizoram in aiding displaced Zofate are deeply appreciated. Their
tireless efforts to provide food, shelter, and care for those fleeing violence
embody the spirit of humanity and the unyielding bond of the Zofate community,”
the MNF said.
Around 7,800 refugees belonging to the Kuki-Zo-Hmar
community from Manipur have also taken shelter in several districts of Mizoram
after the ethnic violence broke out in the neighbouring state in May last year.
The refugees from Manipur belong to the Kuki-Zo-Chin-Hmar-Bawm
tribal community who also share ethnic, traditional, cultural and linguistic
ties with the Mizos of Mizoram.
