Imphal, Manipur, November 29 (HBTV): The Manipur government has asked the Mizo National Front (MNF) not to meddle "in the internal affairs of the state" and stated that the MNF should focus on the looming threat to Mizo society from the drug trade in Mizoram. A statement from the Manipur government said it would extend all assistance to efforts to curb the drug trade in Mizoram.

"The Government of Manipur strongly disapproves of the constant meddling in the internal affairs of Manipur by the Mizo National Front," it said.

"The MNF should focus on the looming threat to Mizo society from the drug trade instead of passing unwarranted comments on the legally justified acts of the Government of Manipur to combat drug trafficking. If requested by the MNF, the Government of Manipur will extend all assistance to the efforts of the State of Mizoram towards curbing drugs," the statement said.

The rebuttal comes in the wake of a press statement calling for the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The Manipur government claimed that the MNF "has been consistently revealing its true colours as an anti-national party with its strong opposition to the efforts of the Indian Government to fence its open borders with neighbouring Myanmar for the purpose of curbing illegal immigration, trafficking of arms and drugs, internal security, and defence." It asserted that "the MNF had run a secessionist movement in the then Mizo district of Assam."