Imphal, Nov 25: Leishemba Sanajaoba, Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur, has urged Mizoram MP K Vanlalvena not to “cross the line” after the latter proposed creating separate administrative units for the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to resolve the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Sanajaoba criticized Vanlalvena for interfering in Manipur’s internal affairs and emphasized that he should focus on issues within his own state.

Vanlalvena, a leader of the Mizo National Front (MNF), had earlier called for the removal of the N Biren Singh government in Manipur and the imposition of President’s rule to address the violence, which has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023. He suggested that the central government should demarcate areas controlled by both the Meitei and tribal communities and create separate administrative units to resolve the conflict.

In his response, Sanajaoba took to social media, urging Vanlalvena to respect Manipur’s sovereignty and avoid meddling in its affairs. He also stressed the importance of maintaining peaceful relations between neighboring states.

The ethnic divide between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, with the Kuki-Zo people having ethnic ties to Mizoram, continues to fuel tensions in the region.