The BJP-led Manipur government has accused Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma of “double standard” on the subject of illegal immigration from Myanmar and castigated his remarks on Manipur’s “internal affairs”.

In an interview with a national daily, published on Friday, Lalduhoma had described Manipur chief minister Biren Singh as a “liability to the state of Manipur” while saying he preferred President’s rule to the “present government” in the neighbouring state.

The Manipur government has hit back at Lalduhoma by accusing him of opposing efforts to stop illegal migration, flagging certain controversial comments attributed to him during a US trip in September, and charging him with espousing “secessionist interests” and stoking “hatred and division”.

It said the crisis involving Meiteis and Kuki-Zos “is a creation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar” and “is not on account of any anti-tribal policy of the state government, as has been falsely portrayed by the Mizoram CM through fabricated narratives and history”.

Lalduhoma, leader of the Zoram People’s Movement, had also suggested “sincere negotiations” with hill leaders, the surrender of arms by militias, and a ban on all armed groups as part of a solution to the 19-month-old unrest.

The Manipur valley-based and mainly Hindu Meiteis have been locked in conflict with the overwhelmingly Christian and hill-based Kuki-Zos, the violence claiming at least 258 lives and displacing over 60,000 since May 3 last year. The Mizo and Kuki-Zo communities share the same Zo ancestry, and more than 7,000 displaced Kuki-Zo people from Manipur have taken refuge in Mizoram.

“In his interview, the Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by espousing imposition of President’s rule in Manipur while opposing boundary fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border,” the Manipur government said.

“He also calls for reunification of the Zo people.... He further questions the use of border fencing saying smuggling of guns, weapons and drugs could not be stopped along the Indo-Bangladesh border despite existence of border fence.”

The statement added: “The Mizoram government has been steadfast in opposing the efforts of the Indian government to fence its open borders with neighbouring Myanmar for the purpose of curbing illegal immigration, trafficking of arms and drugs, internal security and defence. Myanmar is the origin of most of the illegal immigration and drugs problems that Manipur has been facing.”

Children show crochet dolls made by displaced women at a relief camp in Manipur. (PTI picture)

Underlining the menace of illegal immigration, the statement cited the rise in the number of villages in the Kuki-Zo districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Pherzawl from 731 in 1969 to 1,624, that is, an increase of 122 per cent.

With this, the statement compared the rise in the number of villages in the Naga-majority hill districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong — from 527 to 576, an increase of 9 per cent.

“The Mizoram CM is apparently unable to fathom the reasons behind this abnormal 122% increase in mushrooming of villages, many of which are in forest areas, in the first group of hill districts, which are Kuki-dominated, or which has a sizeable Kuki population,” the Manipur government said.

“Lalduhoma may like to recollect that the Mizoram government, in view of similar concerns of pressure on land, livelihoods and resources, had instructed Myanmar nationals not to purchase land and run business without prior permission from state government. In addition, the foreigners should also not enrol for Aadhaar, voter list or obtain driving licence, amongst others.

“The Mizoram CM is engaging in double standard when he criticises the decision of the Manipur government to tackle the issue of illegal immigration similarly in Manipur as ‘anti-tribal’. The dignitary should understand that people in Manipur are also as human as those in Mizoram and feel the mounting pressure of illegal immigrants on land, livelihoods and resources equally.

“The government of Manipur will not allow fragmentation of North East India at the behest of foreign vested interests, or such secessionist interests as openly espoused by the Mizoram CM. Any individual, group or organisation working with such intent shall be met with the strong hands of the law. The Mizoram CM can display better statesmanship by being a good neighbour rather than stoke fire of hatred and division.”

Kuki-Zos have been seeking separation from Manipur since the conflict began.

The statement also referred to a speech by Lalduhoma during his US visit in September.

“One may recall that the Mizoram CM had recently give(n) a controversial speech in the US by calling for formation of a Christian nation by carving out areas from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India. In his words, ‘I want us to have the conviction and confidence that one day, through the strength of God, who made us a nation, we will rise together under one leadership to achieve our destiny of nationhood’,” the Manipur government said.

In the interview published on Friday, Lalduhoma had said: “It was a journalist who twisted my speech.... The copy of the English version of the speech was there. I was talking about reunification within India. I do not want to say more.”