Separate state or merger with Mizoram only solution to Manipur violence’

Manipur’s Kuki leaders here on Sunday reiterated that there is no lasting solution to the current ethnic strife in the state except for the creation of a separate administration for the people of the hill districts as violence continued even after Union Home ministerAmit Shah’s visit to the strife-torn state.

Meiteis account for about 53% of Manipur’s Population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40% of the population and reside in the hill districts.

One of the Kuki legislators,Paolienlal Haokip, left Aizawl for Delhi on Sunday to hold a meeting of all the 10 Kuki legislators from Manipur there.

The 10 legislators belonging to the ethnic ‘Zo’ community in Manipur have demanded a separate administration under the Constitution of India for the ethnic ‘Zo’ inhabitants of Manipur hill areas, with the possibility of formation of ‘Greater Mizoram’.