Manipur: Several Injured In Stone Pelting As Fresh Clashes Erupt Between Tribes In Churachandpur

Within hours after a peace settlement was reached between the apex bodies of the two communities, several people were injured as fresh clashes broke out between people belonging to Zomi and Hmar tribes in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Wednesday.

As per PTI, the clash erupted after the Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council had signed an agreement to lift a shutdown and end all activities that disrupt normal life in the district.

What Led To The Clash?

On Tuesday, the tension escalated in the conflict-hit northeastern state after Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Hmar was attacked by some Zomi people on Sunday, leading to violence and the imposition of a curfew in the district the next day.

Richard Hmar was reportedly driving a vehicle that almost hit a two-wheeler rider belonging to the Zomi community. This led to a brief altercation that ultimately resulted in the assault. In response to the assault on Richard, the Hmar Village Volunteers (HVV) imposed a total shutdown in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts.

The clash further intensified after a group of men tried to take down a flag of a Zomi militant outfit in the town. 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, he 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, the official said.

"It is not yet clear who fired the shots," he added.

Student's Federation Reacts

In response to the development, the Zomi Students' Federation imposed a shutdown in the district with immediate effect.

"The emergency shutdown has become necessary in wake of the volatile situation in Churachandpur... all normal activities shall remain suspended", the students' body said in an official statement.

Advising people to remain indoors, it asked all educational and business establishments to remain closed.

District Admin Issues Advisory

In view of the development, the district administration, on the other hand, issued a public appeal asking the residents of Churachandpur "to cease all violent activities" and cooperate with authorities.

District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S, in a statement, said "The conflict has resulted in significant distress and suffering on both sides. Attacks have been reported and there is an urgent need to restore peace and maintain law and order in our area."

Urging all sections to refrain from engaging in any further violence, Dharun Kumar said, "No individual or group is allowed to take the law into their hands and any such actions will be taken with strict legal consequences."

Notably, more than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in Manipur in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.

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.

(With PTI Inputs)