Thu Nov 07 12:39:25 UTC 2024: ## Manipur CM Condemns Calls for Zo Unification, Reiterates India’s Sovereignty
**Imphal:** Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has strongly condemned remarks by his Mizoram counterpart, Lalduhoma, who reportedly expressed support for the unification of the Zo people under a single leadership, even if it meant transcending national borders.
Speaking to reporters after attending a school function in Imphal on Thursday, Mr. Singh declared that safeguarding the integrity of India is the duty of every citizen and that no one can challenge the country’s sovereignty. He emphasized that India is a united and strong nation and urged all citizens to be proud of their Indian identity.
Mr. Singh’s statement comes in response to reports of Lalduhoma’s comments during his visit to the US in September, where he addressed the Zo diaspora. The Mizoram Chief Minister reportedly expressed his desire for the Zo people, a group of related tribes living in parts of Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, to unite under a single leadership. He also stated that the current border divisions are unacceptable and that the Zo people should strive for a united nationhood.
While refraining from directly criticizing Lalduhoma, Mr. Singh reiterated his commitment to maintaining the unity and integrity of India, adding that anyone who challenges it will face a befitting response. He expressed his firm belief that the country’s borders should be respected and its sovereignty upheld.
The Zo unification movement has long been a point of contention, with calls for greater autonomy and cultural recognition often coming from the Zo communities living in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Mizoram government has maintained that the current border between India and Myanmar is an imposition of the British colonial era and that the Mizos share a strong cultural and ethnic connection with the Chins in Myanmar.
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