In a strong statement issued on Friday night, the Manipur government sharply criticized Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, urging him to adopt “better statesmanship” and be a “good neighbor” instead of making divisive remarks that fuel hatred and division. The statement came in response to comments made by Lalduhoma, who recently questioned the leadership of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and opposed various security measures in the region.
The Manipur government warned India to be cautious about a “greater agenda” to create a “Kuki-Chin Christian nation” in areas spanning Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. It alleged that this agenda has been unfolding over several decades through meticulous planning, which includes illegal immigration, land grabbing, and displacement of indigenous communities. The statement emphasized that such efforts aim to fragment Northeast India and that the state government will not allow the region to be broken up due to foreign or secessionist interests.
Further, the statement condemned Lalduhoma for his call for President’s Rule in Manipur and his opposition to the Indo-Myanmar border fencing, intended to curb illegal immigration, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking. The Mizoram CM’s suggestion of the reunification of the Zo people was also criticized, as well as his comments about the possibility of armed militias in Manipur threatening Delhi. The Manipur government claimed that such remarks undermine the state’s efforts to maintain peace and security.
The statement also highlighted the ongoing crisis in Manipur, which the government attributed to illegal immigrants from Myanmar, whose economic activities—largely driven by illicit poppy cultivation—had been severely impacted by the state’s “War on Drugs” initiative. The government strongly rejected claims that its policies were anti-tribal, asserting that the situation was not the result of any such discrimination but was instead a response to illegal activities.
In reference to the rapid increase in villages in Kuki-dominated areas, the Manipur government suggested that Lalduhoma might not understand the pressures on land and resources caused by these developments. It reminded him of Mizoram’s own regulations regarding land ownership and business activities by Myanmar nationals.
The statement also pointed out that Manipur has made significant progress in curbing the drug trade. Since 2017, the state has seized or destroyed drugs worth ₹60,000 crore, and the transit of drugs within the state has dropped to nearly zero. On the other hand, the statement accused Mizoram of becoming a favored route for smuggling arms, ammunition, and drugs between India and Myanmar.
Referring to the ongoing peace efforts in Manipur, the government highlighted its work in providing relief to over 60,000 people in camps and continuing operations to recover stolen arms and ammunition. The statement concluded with a firm warning that Manipur would not allow any attempt to fragment Northeast India and would take strong legal action against anyone involved in such activities. It called on the Mizoram CM to focus on the threats posed by the drug trade within his own state and to show leadership by fostering positive, neighborly relations.
At the time of writing, the Mizoram government had not issued a response to the statement.
