Aizawl, 11 July(Zoram News): Mizoram government has reached out to its MLAs, government employees, central public sector undertakings (PSUs), and banks operating in the state, requesting donations to provide aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from violence-stricken Manipur. Despite repeated appeals, financial assistance from the central government has not been forthcoming, prompting Mizoram to seek help from within the state.
Following clashes between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur, people affected by the violence, predominantly Kuki-Zomis, began seeking refuge in Mizoram on May 5. The number of displaced persons taking shelter in Mizoram has now exceeded 12,000.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga previously wrote to the central government requesting Rs 10 crore to procure food items and provide shelter for the displaced. However, the central government has yet to respond to the state's appeal.
The Mizoram Home Department released a statement indicating that the state government is also taking steps to allocate Rs 5 crore for this purpose.
"The government cannot ignore the plight of our refugee brethren, who are in dire need of food, water, and shelter. We have made immediate efforts to provide them with relief and rehabilitation measures. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department has already supplied 2388.50 quintals of foodgrains to the displaced persons. Deputy commissioners, who have established relief camps, have also contributed their own financial and physical resources to provide food and water," the statement read.
In addition to support from civil society organizations, various NGOs, and church bodies, individuals have been contributing aid through cash donations and essential supplies. With these modest relief and rehabilitation measures, the displaced persons have managed to sustain themselves thus far, according to the statement.
On July 4, Chief Minister Zoramthanga expressed concern about the "deteriorating" situation in Manipur and called for measures to halt the violence and restore peace. He emphasized the need to provide refuge to the victims, many of whom are Mizoram's own people. Zoramthanga tweeted, "With no iota of doubt, those victims are my kith and kin, my own blood. Should we quieten the situation by just being silent? I don't think so."
The Mizoram Chief Minister also highlighted that the number of refugees and IDPs seeking shelter in the state from neighboring Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur has surpassed 50,000.
As Mizoram continues its efforts to support the displaced individuals, the appeal for assistance remains critical, given the lack of central aid. The collective contributions from within the state will play a vital role in providing relief and restoring stability to those affected by the ongoing violence in Manipur.
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Mizoram