Silchar: After Manipur, now the Meiteis are facing the heat in Mizoram. Forty-one Meiteis residing in Aizawl, capital city of Mizoram, arrived in Silchar city in Assam after an ex-militants’ group issued a statement against the community to look for their own safety following the viral video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur.
Superintendent of Police, Cachar district Numal Mahatta said that the group of 41 people reached Silchar from neighbouring Mizoram on July 22nd night. District administration kept the group in a government building near the inter state border after receiving them. “These people are mostly government officials and college teachers. They have come in their own vehicles. The group, informed that there was no attack during their travel in Mizoram,” SP Mahatta said.
The group informed that Mizoram police provided security to them while they were travelling. In wake of the growing tension in the state following the statement by the Peace Accord MNF Returnees’ Association (PAMRA), the Meitei people did not want to stay there looking at the security threat.
SP Mahatta said that the group will stay here till the situation normalises and the Assam government will provide them all round security.
Threat by former militant group PAMRA to Meiteis
Former militant group in Mizoram, Peace Accord MNF Returnees’ Association (PAMRA) has asked the Meiteis staying in the State of Mizoram to leave the State for their own safety.
“In light of their safety, they will be responsible if something unpleasant occurs to the Meiteis.” the statement read.
In a late-night move on July 21, the Mizoram Government deployed armed police personnel at various locations in the capital Aizawl to provide security to Meiteis who are in the city, engaged in various professions. The Peace Accord Mizo National Front Returnee Association on July 21 issued a statement which stated that Meiteis residing in Mizoram should take care of their own safety.
Mizoram police steps up security for Meiteis
The Mizoram government on July 23rd reassured the Meitei community living in the state of safety.
Sources in Mizoram Police said that several Meitei people left for Assam and Manipur starting from 22nd July amid mounting tension.
Security beefed up in Mizoram ahead of protests
Meanwhile security was beefed up across Mizoram ahead of state-wide protests by Mizo organisations against violence in Manipur on July 25th. Police sources said that at least 78 people flew to Manipur in three flights from Aizawl airport. Over 65 people travelled to Assam via road including 41 Meitei people who reached Assam’s Cachar district on 22nd July night by road.
Also, 31 Mizo students from Manipur returned to Mizoram due to the prevailing situation there, they added.
NGO Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), announced statewide protest against the violence in Manipur. The Christian organisation decided to stage a protest after the visuals of the naked parade of two tribal girls went viral.
Mizoram government has also taken extra caution for the NGO Coordination Committee organising solidarity march in support to the Zo ethnic people in Manipur. Mizoram Director-General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla held a high-level meeting on July 23rd to assess the security arrangements in the state. The DGP directed the top officials to ensure proper deployment of forces, patrolling and vigilance in all districts especially in the vulnerable areas, a statement reads.
Measures taken to ensure the safety and security of Meitei people in various parts of the state were also reviewed. The DGP emphasised the need for a sufficient number of reserve forces with vehicles and officers to facilitate quick deployment in case of any unwanted incident occurring during the solidarity march on July 25th. The DGP and a team of senior police officers also visited locations in Aizawl where the demonstration will be held on 25th March.
On July 23rd, Mizoram Home Secretary H Lalengmawia held a meeting with leaders of the Meitei community and assured them of safety and security.
It should be mentioned that there are around 2000 Meitei reside in Aizawl city and Mizoram University has over 30 Meitei faculty members.
