Meiteis In Mizoram Get Security Cover Amid Ex Militants' 'Leave State' Call

Amid a public call to people from the Meitei community to leave Mizoram, the government has taken steps to provide security cover for people from the Meitei community residing in the capital city of Aizawl.

An organisation of former militants has asked Meiteis from Manipur to leave Mizoram for their own safety citing anger among Mizo youths over the incident of parading and molestation of two women in the neighbouring ethnic strife-torn state.

A video shot on May 4 surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities in Manipur being paraded naked and molested by a mob from the other side.

The alleged main accused was arrested on Thursday. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across the country.

In a statement issued from Aizawl on Friday, Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) said, "The situation in Mizoram has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meitei people from Manipur to live in Mizoram in the wake of barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur." "The PAMRA appeals to all Meitei people in Mizoram to leave for their home state as a safety measure," the statement read.

It said there is anger among Mizo youths, who are deeply anguished over the "barbaric and atrocious act of Meiteis" against Zo or Kuki ethnic people in Manipur.

The association also warned that the Meiteis will be responsible in any case of eventuality if they disregard the appeal and fail to leave for their safety.

PAMRA secretary general C Lalthenlova said it was a normal appeal for safety and should not be regarded as a diktat or warning.

He said the association is concerned about the safety of the Meitei community in Mizoram as many Mizo youths have become angry after the incident of naked parading and molestation of two women surfaced.

"We simply appeal to the Meiteis to leave for their state to avoid any untoward incident. We do not serve them a diktat," Lalthenlova told PTI.

He said the appeal was only for Meiteis from Manipur and not those from elsewhere.

Thousands of Meiteis, including students, mostly from Manipur and Assam, live in Mizoram.

PAMRA is a non-political organisation of former Mizo National Front (MNF) militants seeking implementation of all clauses of the Mizo Peace Accord.

However, the Manipur government is making constant efforts to ensure that no Meitei person is harmed.