Manipuri people, both Meiteis and Pangals (Manipuri Muslims), have started fleeing Mizoram after an organization of former insurgents of Mizoram, Peace Accord MNF Returnees’ Association (Pamra), asked the Meiteis residing there to leave the state for “their own safety” on Friday.

Later on Saturday evening, Mizoram government’s home department issued a statement saying that Pamra representatives, while expressing regret that their statement on Friday was misconstrued, decided not to pursue it any further to maintain peace and tranquility in the state. Meanwhile, two persons, including a juvenile, were apprehended by Manipur Police on Saturday in connection with the May 4 parading of two women naked in the state.

The Mizoram government made an appeal to the Meiteis living in the state not to leave and assuring them of their safety and security amid escalating tension. According to sources at Lengpui Airport, 65 people on Saturday took an Indigo ATR flight from Aizawl to Imphal. Most of them are from central institutes like the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Regional Institute of Para-medical and Nursing Science, Mizoram University and Zoram Medical College.

Security was tightened at several places in Mizoram on Saturday amid fears of a backlash over the May 4 strip-and-parading video even as the government said a former insurgent group's statement on Meiteis had been misconstrued.

Despite assurances and requests from the Mizoram government not to leave the state, 65 people took an Indigo ATR flight from Aizawl to Imphal from Lengpui Airport.

Numerous others are believed to have embarked on their journey by road since Friday evening in their search for safety.

The home commissioner also separately met All Mizoram Manipuri Association representatives to assure them of their safety and told them not to be misguided by rumours.

Source: The Times of India