Flag dispute sparks fresh unrest in Manipur, curfew imposed
Curfew has been imposed in parts of Manipur’s Churachandpur district following tension between the Zomi and Hmar tribes over the hoisting of community flags in a disputed area between V Munhoih and Rengkai villages.
The unrest began on April 8 when flags were raised in a contentious zone claimed by both communities. In response, Churachandpur District Magistrate Dharun Kumar imposed curfew in the two villages and the sub-divisions of Kangvai, Samulamlan, and Sangaikot.
A notification stated that curfew restrictions will remain relaxed in other areas of Churachandpur district from 6 am to 5 pm daily until April 17 to allow access to essential goods and services. Further relaxation will be based on law and order assessments.
Village authorities from both communities met with district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, to discuss the situation. They urged residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumours on social media. Officials emphasized that the land dispute is a local settlement issue and not a communal conflict.
Earlier, one person was killed and several others were injured in clashes between the Zomi and Hmar communities in Churachandpur town on March 18 after a person took down a Zomi flag from a mobile tower and threw it on the ground.
The killing occurred even as Home Minister Amit Shah had last week claimed in Parliament that there has been no violence in the strife-torn state in the past four months.
