Shutdown in Manipur after fresh violence

A fresh shutdown was imposed by a student body in Manipur’s curfew-bound Churachandpur district following clashes between Hmar and Zomi people. A group of MLAs and tribal organisations separately appealed for peace on Wednesday.

Several persons were injured as fresh clashes broke out between people belonging to Zomi and Hmar tribes late on Tuesday, just hours after a peace settlement was reached between the apex bodies of the two communities.

The fresh clashes erupted after a group of men tried to take down a flag of a Zomi militant outfit in the town. In response to the development, the Zomi Students’ Federation imposed a shutdown in the district with immediate effect.

Educational institutions remained closed and most shops and markets downed shutters throughout the day. Private vehicles also stayed off the roads, as tensions continued to grip the district.

In a joint statement, at least 12 Kuki-Zomi and Hmar organisations based in Churachandpur district have called for peace among communities and agreed to form a joint peace committee to monitor the situation and prevent misunderstandings in the future.