After demand for CM's resignation, Biren Singh-led Manipur government calls NDA partner MNF 'anti-national'

This came hours after MNF general secretary V L Krosehnehzova demanded Biren Singh's resignation stating that the ongoing crisis was exacerbated by the 'catastrophic failure' of the state government.

The Mizo National Front's (MNF) demand for CM N Biren Singh's resignation over the Meitei-Kuki conflict triggered a verbal spat with the BJP-led Manipur government calling the Mizoram opposition party and a partner of the NDA an "anti-national party."

In a strongly worded rebuttal, Manipur directorate of information and public relations on Thursday night said the MNF was constantly revealing its "true colour as an anti-national party" by opposing the Centre's move to fence the border with Myanmar for curbing illegal migration and trafficking and by taking a pro-Myanmar refugee stance.

In another similar rebuttal, the Manipur government on Friday evening slammed Mizoram CM Lalduhoma, who also demanded resignation of Biren Singh. 

The rebuttal said it disapproves of the "constant meddling" in the internal affairs of Manipur by MNF. It said the MNF was routed out of power in Mizoram in the Assembly elections last year despite "riding on a shrill wave of anti-national pro-Myanmar refugee propaganda and anti-Manipur stance."

"To refresh public memory, this political party has been constantly revealing its true colours as an anti-national party with its strong opposition to 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. Going a little further back in history, the MNF had run a secessionist movement in the then Mizo district of Assam," said the statement.

This came hours after MNF general secretary VL. Krosehnehzova demanded Biren Singh's resignation stating that the ongoing crisis was exacerbated by "catastrophic failure" of the state government. Mizos share ethnic ties with the Kuki-Zo people. The MNF demand came days after National People's Party, an ally, pulled out of the Biren Singh government alleging the CM's failure to resolve the crisis.

Immigration from Myanmar:

Claiming that the ongoing crisis in Manipur is a creation of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar, the Manipur government statement said the illegal migrants engaged in cultivation of illicit poppy. "Their economy had taken a severe hit under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's War on Drugs.

It is not on account of any religious policy of the state government, as has been falsely portrayed by the MNF and other vested interests, even on foreign soil and in various international fora, through fabricated narratives. The MNF appears to have also conveniently forgotten that the conflict on the Kuki side is funded by narco-terrorist elements."

The statement said due to "illegal migration," Manipur has witnessed a 122 per cent increase in the number of villages (893) in Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, since 1969.

"In the remaining hill districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong, which are Naga-dominated, the increase in the same period was just 9 per cent (49 villages)."

It also reminded MNF that its government in Mizoram had also instructed the Myanmar refugees not to buy land or run business without taking permission in view of similar concern about pressure on land, livelihood and resources. "Mizoram had also fixed 1950 as the cut-off year for defining indigenous persons and non-indigenous persons for implementation of the Inner Line Permit system. The Manipur government had also done so but later fixed December 31, 1961 for the same, it said.

Agenda of Chin-Kuki nation:

Manipur government said there was a "greater agenda" of carving out a "Kuki-Chin nation" comprising contiguous areas of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, played out over decades of "meticulous planning" through illegal immigration, land grabbing, displacement of original indigenous people, formation of Kuki-Chin dominated districts, establishment of autonomous district councils, upgradation of of such councils to Scheduled Areas, amalgamation of Kuki-Chin areas and finally a Nationhood. "The government of Manipur will not allow fragmentation of the North East India at the behest of foreign vested interests either in Manipur or in its neighbouhood. Any individual, group or organisation working with such intent shall be met with strong hands of the law."

Mizoram is a hub of arms, drugs trafficking:

Stating that the drive against drugs in Manipur sine 2017 led to destruction of drugs worth Rs. 60,000 crores and 16,787 acres of poppy cultivation, the Manipur government claimed that Mizoram now has emerged as the favourite route for international transit of illegal arms, ammunition and drugs between India and Myanmar. "The MNF should focus on the looming threat on Mizo society from the drugs trade instead of passing unwarranted comments on legally justified acts of the government of Manipur to combat drugs trafficking."

Steps taken to resolve crisis:

The statement said the Biren Singh-led government has been making continuous efforts towards restoration of peace and normalcy.

"The government has been providing food, clothing and shelter to the 60,000 persons staying in relief camps across the state. Combing operations to recover the arms and ammunition looted from police armouries continue to be undertaken with success. SITs constituted by the Centre are supervising investigation of the cases. The sensitive cases have been handed over to the NIA and CBI to ensure impartial investigation. A Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court is enquiring into the origins of the ethnic conflict."