Aizawl: Mizoram Lok Sabha MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha has urged the Central government to mediate between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to find a lasting solution to the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) MP raised concern during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
Vanlalhmangaiha said the 19-month-long conflict has led to the loss of over 250 lives and the displacement of more than 50,000 individuals.
Numerous houses and over 300 churches have been burned or destroyed since the conflict began in May, 2023, he said.
He called upon the central government to facilitate dialogue between the leaders of the two warring communities and bring them to the negotiation table.
“My request to the central government is to act as a facilitator between the leaders of the two communities. Under the chairmanship of the Centre, let the leaders sit at one table to discuss several issues. They can talk about the imposition of President’s rule, separate administration, change of leadership, ceasefire, and compensation to the relatives of those killed and affected by the ethnic violence,” he said.
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He argued that a mere deployment of additional security forces to Manipur would not solve the ongoing crisis.