Over 5,800 people fled Manipur to Mizoram after violent clashes: Officials

Over 5,800 people from Manipur have fled to Mizoram and taken shelter in different districts following recent violent clashes between Meites and tribals in the neighboring state, officials said on Sunday.

He informed that a total of 5,822 people of Chin-Kuki-Mizo community are living in temporary relief camps in six districts of Mizoram.

Officials said Aizawl district currently has the highest number of such oustees in 2021, followed by Kolasib (1,847) and Saitual (1,790).

Meanwhile, Mizoram Lok Sabha member C Lalrosanga has supported the demand of Manipur’s tribal legislators for a separate administration for tribals.

Claiming that the tribal people can no longer live under the Manipur government, 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, on Friday urged the Center to set up a separate administration in the wake of violent clashes.

Clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserved forest land, which led to several smaller agitations.

Meites constitute about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and mostly live in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Naga and Kuki – constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)