A 53-year-old man was killed, and several were injured in fresh clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. The victim was identified as Lalropui Pakhumate from Seilmat Gilgalveng.
Violence erupted after Hmar community members opposed a Zomi group’s attempt to hoist their community flag on March 18. The district had already been placed under curfew after clashes began following the assault of a Hmar leader in Zenhang on the night of March 16.
Despite a peace agreement signed by the Hmar Inpui Manipur and the Zomi Council on Tuesday, tensions persisted.
After the violence, the Zomi Students’ Federation declared an “indefinite emergency shutdown” on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S appealed to the public to maintain peace and order. Security forces conducted flag marches in and around Churachandpur town to restore calm.
The situation remains tense. District authorities urged community leaders to engage in dialogue to resolve disputes peacefully.
Six MLAs from Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts released a joint statement urging peace and government intervention.
“The incidents that unfolded in our town during the past few days are most unfortunate as they have the potential to disrupt peace and adversely affect our unity and brotherhood bonding,” said MLAs Paoleinlal Haokip, N Sanate, LM Khaute, Vungzagin Valte, Chinlunthang, and Letzamang Haokip, in a joint appeal.
