Fresh Clashes in Manipur's Churachandpur, Several Injured

Several persons were injured as fresh clashes broke out between people belonging to Zomi and Hmar tribes in Manipur's Churachandpur district, an official said on Wednesday. The clashes took place in Churachandpur town 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. Soon, mobs of men armed with batons engaged in stone pelting, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas shells and several rounds in the air to disperse the crowds, he said.

Security forces had a trying time in controlling the mobs that vandalised several properties even as shots were also fired by some people in the crowds at their rivals, the official said. "It is not yet clear who fired the shots," he added. Security forces conducted flag marches in the town and were keeping a strict vigil on the situation, urging people to remain indoors as



curfew remained imposed in the entire district in view of the Zomi-Hmar clashes. In response to the development, the Zomi Students' Federation imposed a shutdown in the district with immediate effect.

In a statement, the students' body said, "The emergency shutdown has become necessary in wake of the volatile situation in Churachandpur... all normal activities shall remain suspended." Advising people to remain indoors, it asked all educational and business establishments to remain closed. The district administration, on the other hand, issued a public appeal asking the residents of Churachandpur "to cease all violent activities" and cooperate with authorities. 

District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S, in a statement, said "The conflict has resulted in significant distress and suffering on both sides. Attacks have been reported and there is an urgent need to restore peace and maintain law and order in our area."