Imphal – Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has clarified that Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has not been appointed as an interlocutor for peace talks regarding the ethnic violence in Manipur.
During a session in the Manipur assembly, Singh addressed recent reports suggesting Lalduhoma’s role in mediating the crisis. He explained that these reports stemmed from a casual request made at a NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi on July 27, where he had asked Lalduhoma to visit Manipur. Singh emphasized that any official appointment of an interlocutor would be made by the Prime Minister’s Office or the Ministry of Home Affairs, and no such appointment had been made.
An official from Lalduhoma’s office confirmed that the Mizoram Chief Minister had met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 1, advocating for engagement with Manipur’s tribal leaders. The tribal leaders, with ties to Mizos of Mizoram, had previously discussed the crisis with both Lalduhoma and former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in Aizawl.