Officials say over 5,800 moved from riot-hit Manipur to Mizoram

Aizawl: More than 5,800 people have fled to Mizoram from violence-hit Manipur and taken shelter in various districts, officials said on Sunday.

A total of 5,822 people, belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community, are staying in temporary relief camps in six districts of Mizoram, they said.
Aizawl district currently has the highest number of such displaced persons in 2021, followed by Kolasib (1,847) and Saitual (1,790), officials said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Lok Sabha member C Lalrosanga has supported the demand of tribal MLAs from Manipur for a separate administration for tribals.
Claiming that the tribal people can no longer exist under the Manipur government, 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, on Friday urged the Center to form a separate administration following the violent clashes.

Clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The violence preceded tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which led to a series of smaller protests.

Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40 percent of the population and live in the hilly districts.