The effect of Manipur violence is now being felt in other NE states. An ‘advisory’ from a former militants’ association in Mizoram triggered the exodus of the Meitei community from the state. The adviser urged the community to take care of their own safety in response to escalating tension resulting from a viral video showing two tribal women being stripped and paraded naked by a mob in Manipur. The situation has been calmed down for now with the Mizoram government pledging safety of the community. The powerful Young Mizo Association has also urged the community to stay back and not to fear.
However, this shows that Manipur violence can cause ripples in other parts of the region. Most of the NE states have a large tribal population and there is a genuine anger against what happened to two Kuki tribal women. This is an emotional issue and has the potential to whip up people’s emotion anytime. The Manipur and central governments should understand the gravity of the situation. They need to bring the situation under control at the earliest. The continuing of violence threatens the peace in the whole NE region. Chief Minister N Biren Singh has failed to rise to the occasion. He has been accused of being one-sided with his Meitei community and forgetting his duty as leader of the state. Manipur BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip on Sunday came out in the open and alleged that the chief minister is known to be hand-in-glove with radical groups like Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol, who he alleged, are “the main executors of the ethnic cleansing of Kuki Zo community.” A sitting BJP MLA has made such a serious allegation. Biren Singh should be sacked from the CM post to start the healing process.