GUWAHATI: One person was killed and several others injured as fresh clashes erupted between the Hmar and Zomi tribes on the outskirts of Churachandpur in strife-torn Manipur on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Lalropui Pakhumate (53).
The violence broke out when Hmar groups opposed a Zomi faction hoisting their community flag.
Soon, mobs of men armed with batons engaged in stone pelting, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas shells and several rounds in the air to disperse the crowds, officials said.
Security forces had a trying time in controlling the mobs that vandalised several properties even as shots were also fired by some people in the crowds at their rivals, they added.
Curfew was imposed in Churachandpur following Sunday’s attack on Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Hmar in Zenhang, which triggered tensions between the two communities.
The situation escalated on Tuesday, hours after the Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council reached a peace agreement to lift a shutdown.
In response to the renewed clashes, the Zomi Students’ Federation announced an "indefinite emergency shutdown" from Wednesday, citing the volatile situation in the region.
"It is hereby informed that all normal activities shall remain suspended. Schools and colleges shall remain closed. All shops and business establishments shall remain closed as well. We further advise all people to remain in their homes. This emergency shutdown shall remain in place until the situation improves," it said in a statement.
Six Kuki-Zo MLAs also appealed to people from the community to uphold peace and harmony and solve any issues without giving it a communal colour.
“We urge community leaders and civil society organisations to continue to work hard to maintain peace and tranquillity. We urge the state government, particularly the district administration to take up all requisite measures for restoration and maintenance of law and order,” they said in a joint appeal.
Various other organisations, including Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council, pledged to work towards non-violence, communal harmony, and peaceful co-existence. They condemned all forms of violence, including hate speech, destruction of properties and acts of aggression.
“Any disputes arising between communities shall be resolved through dialogue and non-violent means…It will be the spiritual duty of all denominations and churches to look after their flock and discourage them from participating in any form of violence,” the organisations said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, the district administration issued a fresh appeal urging calm.
“I urge all individuals, community leaders, and groups to refrain from further violence and work towards peace and reconciliation,” District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S said, warning that any attempt to take the law into one’s own hands would face strict legal action.
Kumar said that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and that any such actions will be met with strict legal consequences. He encouraged community leaders to engage in dialogue with authorities, assuring that the administration was committed to restoring order and ensuring public safety.
Security forces conducted flag marches and fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse baton-wielding mobs engaged in stone pelting. Authorities reported shots fired by some individuals in the crowd but were unclear on who was responsible. Several properties were vandalised.
Notably, Sunday’s violence was sparked when Richard Hmar, driving a vehicle, nearly collided with a two-wheeler rider from the Zomi community, leading to an altercation and subsequent assault on him. This led to the imposition of curfew and retaliatory shutdowns by Hmar groups in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts.
A peace settlement was reached on Tuesday, with the attacker’s family agreeing to pay Rs 50,000 for a customary feast and Rs 2 lakh for Hmar’s medical expenses. Both sides had pledged to prevent future violence.
However, clashes erputed late on Tuesday, just hours after a peace settlement had been reached.
Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023, resulting in over 250 deaths and leaving thousands displaced.
The Centre had imposed President's rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister. The state assembly, which has tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.