Mizoram CM Appeals To Home Minister For Talks With Kuki-Zo Leaders Amid Ethnic Crisis

In a bid to address the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to advocate for dialogue with tribal leaders from the Kuki-Zo community. The meeting, held at Shah’s residence, focused on the escalating strife in Manipur, according to officials.

During the meeting, Lalduhoma urged Shah to facilitate a dialogue between officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which represents the diverse tribal communities in Manipur. The Chief Minister also conveyed his willingness to visit Imphal, following an invitation from Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

In related developments, an official from the Manipur Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) disclosed that discussions on northeast regional issues took place during the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi last week, where Chief Minister Biren Singh, along with Lalduhoma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, deliberated on various concerns.

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Lalduhoma also expressed gratitude to Shah for the approval of Rs 10 crore in aid for displaced individuals residing in Mizoram. This financial assistance comes amidst the sheltering of over 35,120 refugees from Myanmar and more than 2,000 Bangladeshi tribals in Mizoram since 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Currently, Mizoram is accommodating 4,215 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Manipur, who have sought refuge in various districts since ethnic violence erupted in their home state in May 2023. Although the peak number of IDPs from Manipur in Mizoram was over 12,000, many have since returned to their home state.

Additionally, the Union Home Minister informed Lalduhoma that the Special Central Team for Cyclone Remal has completed its report, with anticipated assistance expected in the near future.