Clamour for Zo unification, creation of Greater Mizoram getting louder

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Manipur seeking refuge in Mizoram growing by the day, the age-old clamour for Zo unification and creation of Greater Mizoram is getting louder. The demand to unify the contiguous areas of Manipur, Assam and Tripura, where this community forms a sizeable chunk, is gathering pace, putting Mizoram CM Zoramthanga in a delicate spot.

Zoramthanga, who is also chief of the ruling Mizo National Front, is in a spot because one of the main objectives of the founding leaders of MNF was to ensure the unification of all contiguous areas inhabited by Zo tribes. Kuki-Zo-Zomis are also spread across Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Clearing his stand on the Greater Mizoram issue, Zoramthanga had earlier said his state government cannot directly interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring Manipur. Addressing party workers at Hnam Run (MNF party office) on Monday, he said that «Mizo brothers and sisters in Manipur should move in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution».

«The ethnic Mizo brothers in Manipur are now demanding a separate administration which is paving the way for achieving the re-unification,» he said referring to the 10 Kuki MLAs, including seven BJP MLAs, two Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) MLAs and an Independent MLA, demanding a separate administration in Manipur. Several Kuki organisations are also pressing for a separate administration in Manipur.

Zo unification is becoming an issue in poll-bound Mizoram after the ethnic strife in Manipur. Around 12,000 people from the Kuki-Zo community from Manipur have taken shelter in 11 districts of Mizoram.