Displaced Meiteis flee Mizoram; security beefed up across state

Guwahati: Meiteis from Manipur, who had fled to Mizoram after violence erupted in their state, have started fleeing Mizoram as well after an organisation put out a warning that if any violence should happen to the Meiteis in Mizoram, the Meiteis themselves should bear the responsibility for it. Around 41 people belonging to 15 families have reached Assam's Lakhipur while several others have taken flights out of Mizoram.

The Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) in a press release had appealed to Meiteis living in Mizoram to leave the state. "The situation has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meiteis living in Mizoram due to the barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur," the PAMRA said in a statement in Mizo language.

It said there was anger among Mizo youths, who were deeply anguished over the atrocious acts that the Meiteis have done to the Zo or Kuki people in Manipur. PAMRA's C Lalthenlova, however, said it was just an appeal for safety and not a warning. He said that they did not ask the entire Meitei community to leave but only those from Manipur.

Mizoram home commissioner H Lalengmawia held a meeting with PAMRA members during which the latter clarified that the press release issued by them was an advisory requesting Meiteis in Mizoram to exercise caution in the light of the public sentiments regarding the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

PAMRA members regretted that their press release was misconstrued and decided to withdraw it.

The commissioner also met representatives of All Mizoram Manipuri Association and assured them of safety and told them not to be misguided by rumours. Security has been beefed up across the state ahead of state-wide protests by Mizo organisations against violence in Manipur, police said. DGP Anil Shukla held a high-level meeting to assess the security arrangements, a statement said.