Manipur: Bodies of Hmar, Zo tribes decide to lift shutdown in violence-hit Churachandpur

Imphal: After the imposition of curfew in Manipur’s Churachandpur district in view of clashes between Hmar and Zomi people, bodies of the two communities have agreed to lift a shutdown there, officials said on Tuesday.

The Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council, the apex bodies of the respective tribes, also decided to work together and restore peace in the district, they said.

The decisions were taken during a joint meeting convened by the district administration in the wake of the violence.

"The Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council have jointly agreed to lift the shutdown and end all activities, which disrupt normal life in Churachandpur district, with immediate effect," an official said.

In a joint appeal, the two bodies said, "The Hmar Inpui and the Zomi Council call upon the public to calm down and desist from disrupting normal life in the town." The two bodies also agreed to "work together for peace and security of people in the days to come".

The curfew was imposed in Churachandpur on Monday, as a precautionary measure, following clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities.

The prohibitory order was clamped down after a Hmar tribal leader was assaulted on Sunday by a few persons.

Armed with batons, several groups belonging to the two communities got engaged in violence and vandalism of properties, the police said.

Notably, more than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in Manipur in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.

The Centre had imposed President's rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.