The Manipur government issued a scathing statement late Friday night, calling on Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma to exhibit “better statesmanship” and act as a “good neighbour” instead of fueling “hatred and division” with what it termed as “unwarranted comments.”

The statement highlighted concerns over what it called a “greater agenda of carving a Kuki-Chin Christian nation” spanning parts of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. The Manipur government accused foreign and secessionist interests of promoting this agenda through meticulous planning over decades, and vowed to resist any attempts to fragment Northeast India.

The remarks follow Lalduhoma’s recent interview with the Hindustan Times, where he criticized Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, calling him a “liability” to the state and the BJP, while advocating for President’s Rule in Manipur. Lalduhoma also opposed boundary fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, citing ineffectiveness in preventing smuggling along similar borders.

The Manipur government lashed out at the Mizoram CM’s stance, labeling it as anti-national and counterproductive. “Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by espousing imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur while opposing boundary fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border,” the statement said.

The government further accused Lalduhoma of encouraging reunification efforts of the Zo people and misrepresenting the origins of the ongoing crisis in Manipur. It claimed the unrest stemmed from illegal immigrants from Myanmar engaging in illicit poppy cultivation, severely impacted by Singh’s ‘War on Drugs’ initiative, rather than any alleged anti-tribal policies.

The statement also took a swipe at Mizoram’s historical roots, contrasting its status as a relatively new state carved out of Assam with Manipur’s “thousands of years” of recorded history and culture.

Additionally, the Manipur government alleged that Mizoram had become a key transit hub for drugs and arms trafficking between India and Myanmar, blaming the Mizoram government’s opposition to border fencing for worsening the problem.

The statement reaffirmed Manipur’s commitment to restoring peace and normalcy, highlighting ongoing relief efforts for over 60,000 displaced individuals and successful arms recovery operations.