Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 23: The Meiteis from Mizoram, one of the two groups engaged in violence with the Kukis, would be airlifted from Aizawl by the Manipur government. The Meiteis were asked to return to their native state for their “own safety” by a group of former militants in Mizoram.
The organisation said that “anger among Mizo youths” exists in response to the incident on May 4 in which two women were stripped of their clothing, displayed naked and subjected to sexual assault by a gang of males. A video of this event leaked on Wednesday, igniting a massive uproar.
The Manipur government intends to fly Mizoram residents to Manipur on dedicated ATR planes that fly between Aizawl-Imphal and Aizawl-Silchar.
The Mizoram Police increased security measures to safeguard Meiteis’ safety in Aizawl city.
Vety College in Selesih, Mizoram University in Tanhril, RIPANS, Zemabawk and ZMC, Falkawn have all seen an increase in security.
“In anticipation of possible development of tension which could threaten the security of Meiteis living in Aizawl, due to the public outrage against the recent viral video of two tribal Kuki – Zo brutally assaulted in Manipur. Security arrangements are made in order to ensure the safety of Meitei in Aizawl,” the letter read.
Although the government has made plans to airlift Meiteis, specifics regarding the timing of the evacuation operation have not yet been released. In Mizoram, there are a few thousand Meiteis who are primarily from Manipur and south Assam.
“There are plans by the government to airlift Meiteis from Aizawl but when the evacuation will take place, is yet to be confirmed,” a Meitei student living in Aizawl said.
The Mizo Student’s Union (MSU) announced its intention to conduct a Meitei census at various Mizoram educational institutions in the aftermath of the Peace Accord, MNF Returnees Association’s (PAMRA) statement asking Meiteis to leave Mizoram for their safety.
Meiteis living in Mizoram have been urged to leave “for their safety” and return to their own state by the Peace Accord MNF Returnees’ Association (PAMRA).
“The situation in Mizoram has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meitei people from Manipur to live in Mizoram in the wake of barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur,” PAMRA, an organisation of former militants in Aizawl, said in a statement released on Friday from Aizawl.
The Meitei community was assured by the Mizoram government on Saturday that they are safe and advised them not to believe rumours.
In a meeting with Meitei community leaders, state home commissioner and Secretary H. Lalengmawia reportedly guaranteed them their safety and protection, an official statement said
