Manipur: Fresh clashes between Hmar and Zomi communities in Churachandpur district, one dead

One person was killed in Manipur’s Churachandpur district as fresh clashes were reported between the Hmar and Zomi tribal communities on Wednesday, The Hindu reported.

The violence occurred despite prohibitory orders that were imposed in the district on Monday amid escalating tensions following the alleged assault of a Hmar leader a day earlier.

On Tuesday, the two communities agreed to work together to restore peace in the district.

Later in the evening, violence erupted when a few Hmars opposed a Zomi group hoisting a community flag, The Hindu reported, quoting unidentified officials. The clashes killed a person named Lalropui Pakhumate on the outskirts of Churachandpur town, according to the newspaper.

Hmars and Zomis are considered part of the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar group of ethnic communities. The group has been mired in an ethnic conflict with the non-tribal Meiteis that broke out in May 2023 and has since left at least 260 dead and displaced more than 59,000.

Churachandpur is home to Zomi, Kuki and Hmar, among other tribes.

Following the violence on Tuesday, the Zomi Students’ Federation declared an “indefinite emergency shutdown” and said that this was necessary due to the volatile situation in the district, The Hindu reported.

“It is hereby informed that all normal activities shall remain suspended,” the newspaper quoted the federation as saying. “Schools and colleges shall remain closed. All shops and business...

Read more