Imphal, July 27: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday strongly criticised the European Parliament for taking up the issue of ongoing ethnic violence in the state and urged the neighbouring northeastern states not to poke their nose in the state’s internal issue.

Singh, while speaking on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, said that the violence in Manipur is a plan of foreign forces, trying to grab the state’s territory, playing the victim card.

“The root cause is the destruction of elements such as drugs smuggling, illegal poppy cultivation, trying to grab the power that were used to disintegrate the unity of the state. The government has no grudge against the Kuki brothers and sisters,” the Chief Minister said.

Referring to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Singh said that Mizoram after a long struggle became a state separated from Assam. “But Manipur has been a nation for 2000 years, as an Independent Nation. We have faced many enemies from Burma, China and have stood strong. We must not forget and Zoramthanga must also not forget this. He might be expressing solidarity and went to the rally,” he said.

Zoramthanga along with his ministers and Mizo National Front MLAs, on Tuesday, took part in a ‘Solidarity March’, organised by the NGOs Coordination Committee in Mizoram to express solidarity with the violence hit Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur.

The Manipur Chief Minister said the current situation is not a clash between Hindu and Christian, and there are plenty of churches untouched in Manipur.

Biren slams European Parliament, says war well-planned

Without naming any one, he said they have been crying and creating fabricated stories, acting up to be portrayed as a victim and brought up the issue in the European Parliament.

“The consequences won’t be good one. Even the European country, what do they know about the ground realities? What did they know about Manipur? They destroyed India, they destroyed our state, they killed and looted our properties. The mentality that those who can speak English are intelligent is strongly condemnable,” he argued.

He further emphasised that “the war that we are facing is a well planned war against the state government. They have written books and have demarcated even the Imphal valley. We were not aware of this. They even wrote books and charted out strategies which include the Imphal Valley.”

They even have the backing of terrorists from outside the country. The war that the people and the government are facing is not an ethnic war, he added.

“I don’t listen to these dramas. I, Biren, fear none. Let them do whatever they like. But we will protect our nation and our people. We will stand for the integrity of the state until our blood runs dry,” he asserted in Manipuri language and added that this is a message to those who want to disintegrate the state.

Separate administration

Stating that he will not succumb to any threats or pressure, he said he will not allow for a separate administration “Not when the blood still ran in my veins.”

He assured that the state government won’t rest until it has identified the illegal immigrants and taken necessary action against them.

In the wake of violence, over 12,000 displaced people of Kuki-Zo community have taken shelter in Mizoram from violence hit Manipur. The hill area of Manipur, adjoining Mizoram, is inhabited by the ‘Zo’ community who share the same culture, religion, tradition and ancestry. 10 tribal MLA (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), have been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) in Manipur.

Also Read: Manipur Govt begins construction of prefabricated houses under heavy security

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