New Delhi: Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Thursday, November 28, strongly criticised his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh, calling him a “liability” to the state, its people and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In an interview with Hindustan Times, Lalduhoma said president’s rule would be preferable to the current administration, citing the ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur for 18 months.
Lalduhoma, who leads the Zoram People’s Movement, accused Singh of failing to address the crisis in the state and suggested that a new leadership was necessary.
“I am sorry to say that he is a liability to the state of Manipur. He has been a liability to his own people and his party,” Lalduhoma told Hindustan Times. “If his service is still needed, in my opinion, it is a necessary evil. More evil and less necessary.”
“If we are going to compare president’s rule with the present government, then president’s rule is much more preferable. But if there can be a responsible government, elected body with a different leader, who can acknowledge the significant contribution made by tribal people for freedom struggle of this country, who recognises them as an integral part of India and genuine citizens of this country – then in that case, it may be better to have that kind of CM,” Lalduhoma further told Hindustan Times.
The violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has claimed around 260 lives and continues to escalate. Recent incidents, including the killing of 10 tribal people and six Meitei individuals, have further inflamed tensions.
Despite mounting pressure from within and outside the BJP, Singh has resisted calls for his removal. Last week, the National People’s Party withdrew its support from his government, even as union home minister Amit Shah held emergency meetings in Delhi.
Lalduhoma suggested banning armed groups and disarming militias as the first step toward peace. “All the arms and ammunition held by militias in Manipur should be surrendered. If these people continue keeping all these sophisticated weapons, who knows – one day they may point their guns at Delhi,” he told Hindustan Times.
He also called for sincere negotiations with tribal leaders, adding, “They may not like to have this discussion in the presence of the chief minister and Meitei leaders. Maybe they want to have a separate meeting.”
The clamour for president’s rule in Manipur has been going on for over a year now, having recently picked up momentum after MPs and journalists across Northeast started demanding it, with no alternative solution in sight.
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The Mizoram chief minister also opposed the proposed fencing along the India-Myanmar border, arguing that it would hinder the reunification of the Zo people. “How can we have a border fencing when we are talking about reunification? Once we have a border fencing, our brothers and sisters will never look towards us. Forever we will be divided,” he told Hindustan Times.
He claimed to have raised the issue with Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While acknowledging concerns over smuggling across the porous border, Lalduhoma dismissed the effectiveness of fencing in stopping illegal activities. “These things could not be stopped despite the Indo-Bangladesh border fence,” he told Hindustan Times.
