Escalated violence between Hmar and Zomi causes death, emergency shutdown imposed

Imphal: One person died in the clash between Hmar and Zomi communities in Churachandpur that escalated late on Tuesday night.

The deceased was identified as 53-year-old Lalropui Pakhumate of Seilmat Gilgalveng, Churachandpur. According to police, he was succumbed to his injuries sustained during the clash.

Hmar and Zomi are sub-tribes of the Kuki Zo community. Churachandpur district is a Kuki Zo dominated area.

The clashes showed stone pelting, vandalism, and a shutdown enforced by protestors.

The district magistrate issued a second public notice, urging for peace amid rising tensions.

Tensions had been escalating in Churachandpur since March 16, following the alleged assault of a leader of Hmar Inpui, a Hmar body, by unknown miscreants reportedly belonging to a Zomi youth group.

On March 17, the district administration convened a joint meeting with leaders of both communities to resolve the issue. The matter was settled as per local customary laws, and the emergency shutdown imposed by the Zomi group was lifted.

As a precautionary measure, the district magistrate imposed a curfew across Churachandpur district on Monday.

At around 7 pm, on Tuesday, tensions flared back, leading to confrontations between the two tribes. During the clash, Lalropui sustained a bullet injury. He succumbed to his injury at Seilmat Christian Hospital in Churachandpur.

District police also reported that security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live rounds in the air to control the mob. Security forces had difficulty controlling the rampaging crowd, which vandalized several properties. Armed militants, taking advantage of the darkness, reportedly fired volleys of gunfire at their rivals.

Zomi Students’ Federation declared an indefinite emergency shutdown on Wednesday morning.