Imphal: Curfew and total shutdown have been partially lifted in Churachandpur of Manipur, security forces continued flag marches to maintain law and order while as normalcy gradually returns.
Tension remains high following the clash between the Hmar and Zomi communities.
After nearly three months of relative peace amid the 21-month-long crisis, fresh tension erupted on the night of March 16 when a Hmar Inpui leader was allegedly assaulted, allegedly by a group of Zomi youths.
Curfew has been imposed in the entire district since March 17 as a precautionary measure. The Hmar Inpui, a Kuki sub-tribe, enforced an emergency total shutdown, which was lifted on March 18 after a meeting was convened between representatives of the Hmar and Zomi communities and the district administration.
However, on the night of March 18, further clashes broke out over the alleged burning of a Zomi community flag. The violence resulted in the death of a 53-year-old individual who succumbed to bullet injuries.
Several organizations representing the Kuki, Hmar, and Zomi communities, along with Kuki-Zo MLAs, have appealed for peace.
Manipur police with central security forces have been conducting flag marches in the town. As a sign of improving conditions, the district magistrate issued an order on Wednesday for a partial curfew relaxation from 7 am to 4:30 pm.
“The relaxation does not apply to Kangvai, Samulamlan, and Sangaikot sub-divisions of Churachandpur district, where security concerns persist,” said the government order issued by its district magistrate, Dharun Kumar S.
“Normal life is returning to Churachandpur town. People came out to purchase essentials during the curfew relaxation hours. No violence has been reported since Wednesday. A flag march was conducted today from 6:15 pm in vulnerable areas,” said the district police control room.
The Zomi Students’ Federation on Thursday announced day time relaxation of the shutdown imposed on Tuesday March 18.
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