Imphal/Aizawl:

Manipur Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba criticised his Mizoram counterpart K Vanlalvena for suggesting a “separate administrative area” for the Kuki tribes to resolve the ethnic conflict.

Mr Leishemba, who is from the BJP, in a post on X warned Mr Vanlalvena against “crossing the line” and asked him to refrain from interfering in Manipur’s internal issues.

“My friend, Don’t cross the line. Please confine in your state issues. Stop interferences in Manipur’s issues. Be a good neighbour,” Mr Leishemba said in the post.

My friend,
Don’t cross the line..
Please confine in your state issues..
Stop interferences in Manipur ‘s issues..
Be a good neighbour..@VanlalvenaKpic.twitter.com/5JUMn451bV

— Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba. (@MaharajaManipur) November 24, 2024

Mr Vanlalvena, an MP of BJP ally Mizo National Front (MNF), had told reporters that the President’s rule in Manipur is needed as the “first and immediate step” to solve the violence, and also the creation of a “separate administrative” for Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes.

The Mizoram MP had said President’s Rule would give an opportunity for the Centre to deal with the Manipur situation comprehensively and demarcate areas where the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes live.

Mr Vanlalvena called for the separate administrative units, citing the deep divide between the two ethnic groups.

“After the violence broke out, the tribal (Kukis) people unable to go to Imphal and the valley areas, and the people belonging to the Meitei community no longer dare to enter the hilly regions,” Mr Vanlalvena had said, adding President’s rule and separate administrations for the Kukis could pave the way for a lasting solution.

“If they (Manipur government) can restore peace and normalcy, resolve the ethnic crisis in the state without creating separate administrations, it is okay. The goals of all my views are making peace and normalcy in Manipur,” Mr Vanlalvena told IANS on Monday.

Ever since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May last year, all Kuki-Zo-Hmar groups and their 10  MLAs, including seven from the state’s ruling BJP, have been boycotting the Manipur assembly sessions and demanding a separate administration.

The Centre and the state government have on a number of occasions rejected the separate administration demand.