Several people were injured as fresh clashes broke out between Zomi and Hmar tribes belonging to Zomi, an official said Wednesday. The conflict took place late Tuesday in the town of Churachandpur, just hours after a peaceful settlement was reached between the top bodies of the two communities.
A fresh conflict broke out after a group of men tried to shoot down a flag in a Zomi radical costume in the town. Soon, he said, a man armed baton mob, dabbled in the stones, prompted security personnel to fire tear gas shells and launched several rounds in the air to disperse the crowds.
The official said security forces worked hard to control the mobs, which destroyed several properties, and even guns were fired by some in the rival crowd. “It’s not clear who shot.”
Security forces conducted flag parades in the town and strictly vigils, urging people to stay indoors because curfews are still imposed throughout the region with the help of the Zomi-Hmar conflict. In response to development, the Zomi Student Union implemented a shutdown in the area and took effect immediately.
“In the case of turmoil in Churacandpur, emergency closures have become necessary…all normal activities should be suspended.” People are advised to stay indoors and all educational and commercial institutions are required to remain closed.
On the other hand, the regional government has issued a public appeal asking residents of Chukandpur to “stop all violence” and cooperate with the authorities. “The conflict has caused great trouble and suffering to both sides. It is reported that peace is urgent to restore and maintain law and order in our region,” District Magistrate Dharun Kumar said in a statement.
Dharun Kumar urged all parts to avoid any further violence, “No person or group shall hold the law in their hands, and any such lawsuit will be subject to strict legal consequences.”
He urged all to work with the authorities and report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement agencies and asked community leaders to have dialogue with regional administration and law enforcement to resolve the issue peacefully.
On Tuesday, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Commission signed an agreement to cancel the closure and end all activities that undermine normal life in the area. The conflict between Zomi and HMAR tribes began with the attacks of HMAR INPUI Secretary General Richard Hmar on Sunday by some Zomi people, resulting in violence and a curfew imposed in the area the next day.
Sources said Richard HMAR was driving a two-wheeler who almost hit a Zomi community. This led to a brief dispute that eventually led to the attack. The attacks on Richard Hmar by HMAR Village volunteers (HVV) and conflicts between the two communities have imposed a full closure on the Pherzawl and Jiribam areas.
Pherzawl lives primarily among HMAR tribes, while Jiribam is home to multiple ethnic communities, and Meiteis makes up the majority. However, a settlement was reached on Tuesday, with the attacker’s family agreeing to pay Rs 50,000 to Richard HMAR’s relatives to hold a traditional and customary peaceful feast.
The parties also agreed that the attacker’s family would initially pay Rs 2 lakh Richard HMAR medical treatment and provide him with more money if needed. He said both sides agreed that there should not be any violence against each other in the future.
It is worth noting that more than 250 people have been killed in the Manipur case since May 2023, between the Metis and the Kukizo group, and thousands have been homeless in Manipur state. The state legislature’s term of office has been suspended until 2027.
