Mizoram protests today in support of Manipur’s Zo people; parties back stir

Civil society organisations are scheduled to stage demonstrations across Mizoram on Tuesday (July 25) to express solidarity with the Zo people in the ethnic strife-torn Manipur.

Mizos share ethnic ties with the Kukis of Manipur, Kuki-Chins of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, and the Chins of Myanmar. They are collectively called the Zo people.

NGO Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), will bring out the protest rallies.

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Chief Minister Zoramthanga has announced that the MNF party office will be closed on Tuesday to extend support to the programme. He has asked party workers to take part in the rallies.

Parties offer support

Besides MNF, the BJP, Congress, and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), will keep their party offices shut in support of the solidarity marches.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across the state in view of the demonstrations.

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Mizoram’s Director General of Police (DGP) Anil Shukla has held a high-level meeting to assess the security arrangements and has also visited the locations in Aizawl where the demonstrations will be held.

Shukla has directed police officers to ensure proper deployment, patrolling, and vigilance in all districts, especially in vulnerable areas, to prevent any untoward incident.

(With agency inputs)