Aizawl, June 29: Mizoram is anxiously awaiting a relief package from the central government for over 12,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled ethnic violence in neighboring Manipur. The Mizo National Front (MNF) government, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, had requested ₹10 crore as a relief package for the displaced individuals in May.
H. Lalengmawia, the Home Commissioner and Secretary of Mizoram revealed that Tourism Minister Robert Romawia and a team of officials, including himself, recently met with the Union Home Secretary and the Additional Secretary in Delhi to urge the release of the relief package without delay. Although the response during the meeting seemed positive, no communication has been received from the Centre regarding the relief package thus far.
The Home Department of Mizoram is responsible for managing the displaced people from Manipur, as well as those who have sought refuge in the state from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Lalengmawia stated that the Home Department has requested ₹5 crore in assistance from the Finance Department to provide relief to the displaced people from Manipur. Additionally, they plan to collect donations from legislators, state and central government employees, corporate entities, commercial banks, and others.
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As per the state’s Home Department, at least 22 individuals have entered Mizoram in the past two days, bringing the total number of displaced people from Manipur in the state to 12,162 as of Monday. These individuals belong to the Kuki-Hmar-Mizo-Zomi group, which shares close ethnic ties with the Mizo people of Mizoram. To accommodate them, the government and village authorities have established 35 relief camps in the districts of Aizawl, Kolasib, and Saitual.
Unfortunately, some of these relief camps are beginning to face shortages of food and other essential supplies due to insufficient funds. Kolasib district, which shares a border with Assam, currently hosts the largest number of displaced people at 4,345, followed by Aizawl district with 4,047 and the Saitual district with 2,940, according to data from the Home Department.
In addition to the displaced people from Manipur, Mizoram is also currently hosting over 35,000 refugees from coup-hit Myanmar and Bangladesh. The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has resulted in more than 100 fatalities so far. The clashes initially erupted on May 3 following a “Tribal Solidarity March” organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The Meiteis, who makeup around 53 percent of Manipur’s population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, are the largest ethnic group in the state. The tribal communities, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute approximately 40 percent of the population and predominantly inhabit the hill districts.
The need for urgent relief assistance for the displaced people from Manipur in Mizoram is crucial. The central government should swiftly address the situation and provide the requested relief package to ensure the well-being and safety of the affected individuals.
It is essential for all stakeholders to work together to restore peace, foster reconciliation, and promote communal harmony in the region. Additionally, support from the international community and humanitarian organizations would be invaluable in addressing the humanitarian crisis and facilitating the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced population.
