Security personnel during a search operation in Manipur.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Guwahati: Tension prevailed again in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district of conflict-hit Manipur on Monday, a day after assault on a leader belonging to the Hmar community.
Hmars share ethnic ties with the Kukis and so the incident was not related to the ongoing conflict involving the Kukis and the Meiteis, police said. It is suspected that the incident was a fallout of local conflict.
The district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS prohibiting gathering of more than five persons as locals tried to impose a "shutdown" in Churachandpur town on Monday morning in protest against the assault.
Richard Hmar, general secretary of Hmar Inpui and a member of the influential Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), was assaulted by unknown miscreants at around 7.30pm on Sunday inside the campus of VK Montessori School, Zenhang, in the district. He was admitted to a hospital due to the injuries.
In a statement, the Hmar Inpui said that the victim was caught by a group of men on his way home, blindfolded, and continuously beaten up even after he had revealed his identity. The group warned the perpetrators to surrender or they would take their own course of action.
The Thadou Students’ Association expressed concern over the escalating tensions between different groups among the non-Naga tribal communities, particularly between Kuki/Kuki-Zo, Hmar, and Zomi groups. The ITLF also condemned the incident.
“This incident is not an isolated one. ITLF members have been repeatedly targeted, highlighting a disturbing pattern of harassment and violence. We denounce these cowardly acts, which seek to silence and intimidate our leadership and members,” the ITLF said in a statement.
Additional forces were deployed to prevent escalation of the tension and the administration issued a public appeal for maintaining peace.