New Delhi: The Mizoram government will soon approach the Centre with a special request to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to introduce helicopter service between state capital Aizawl and Churachandpur in Manipur.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga assured the delegation when they took up the matter with him at a recent meeting in Aizawl, a source said.
CM Zoramthanga, chief of the Mizo National Front, said he would urge the central government to operate the helicopter at a subsidized rate as common people sharing ethnic bonds can travel frequently and meet their near and dear ones. Many smaller ethnic groups, such as Vaipai and Peite in Manipur's Churachandpur and adjoining places, share an ethnic bond with the Lushais and Hmar people of Mizoram.
A delegation of local leaders, including Lalhrilian Hmar (Member of District Council) MDC, Hausuanthang MDC, CT Lian Guite ex-MDC, Thang Lopa, Siam Tunglut, Sangboi Gangte and Lalboi Haokip, among others, urged Zoramthanga to launch Manipur unit of MNF and contest elections.
Churachandpur district in the south-western part of Manipur that adjoins Mizoram, and the majority of the population comprises ethnic Mizos, including Thadou (Kuki), Hmar, Paite and others. Old-timers also say that many of the people from the district had earlier maintained socio-cultural and political relationships with Mizos in the mid-1960s. The Mizoram government had earlier proposed of sending buses to Tahan in Myanmar and Churachandpur, but the projects are yet to materialize.
The Naga People's Front (NPF), a party based in Nagaland, is already active in Manipur, won four seats in 2017 and became part of the ruling dispensation under BJP.
