Tension grips CCpur after man killed in clashes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 19 2025: Churachandpur town remains tense following an incident on Tuesday night in which groups attempted to incite unrest by launching attacks from the outskirts of the town.

The group clashes, which began around 7:30 pm, claimed the life of a middle-aged man and threatened to disrupt peace and order in the region.

In response, the Zomi Students' Federation has declared an emergency total shutdown, suspending all normal activities across the district, including the closure of all educational institutions.

Additionally, the district administration has clamped curfew, while the district police used public address system urging the residents to comply fully.

Authorities have warned that the curfew will be strictly enforced, and residents are advised to remain indoors for their safety.

Tension grips CCpur after man killed in clashes

Given the volatile law and order situation, Churachandpur district magistrate Dharun Kumar has issued a public appeal for calm, assuring that the administration is actively working to restore peace and normalcy.

Emphasising the importance of cooperation, he urged the public to refrain from engaging in violence, adhere to curfew regulations, and respect the rule of law.

The deputy commissioner further called upon tribal leaders, church leaders, philanthropic organisations, and civil society leaders to take proactive steps within their capacities to help restore stability.

Additionally, he cautioned against the spread of misinformation and encouraged residents to verify any information through official channels before reacting.

A joint appeal for communal harmony and peace was also issued on Wednesday following a meeting at Evangelical College of Theology (ICT), chaired by inspector general of police Kabib K.The meeting was attended by DC Dharun Kumar, Churachandpur SP Prakhar Pandey, officials from the 27 Sector Assam Rifles, and other key stakeholders.

The gathering also included leaders from Zomi Council and its affiliated organisations, such as Zomi Mothers' Association (ZMA) and Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF), representatives from Hmar Inpui and its associated groups, including Hmar Women's Union and Hmar Students' Association (HSA), Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, along with its affiliates - Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights and Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO).

At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint declaration was issued, calling for non-violence, communal harmony, and peaceful coexistence.

The statement strongly condemned all forms of violence, including hate speech and the destruction of property, while emphasising that any disputes between communities should be resolved through dialogue and non-violent means.

Furthermore, the declaration reaffirmed that all abandoned properties on both sides of the conflict would be protected in accordance with the mandate of the Supreme Court of India.

The statement also underscored the responsibility of all religious denominations and churches to guide their members away from participating in violence.

It was signed by leaders of Inpi organisations and their associated groups.

In a separate joint statement, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs expressed their deep concern over recent incidents, describing them as unfortunate.

They urged all communities to uphold peace and harmony while refraining from framing disputes through a communal lens.

The legislators also called on CSO leaders to continue their efforts in maintaining peace and stability.

Additionally, they appealed to the district administration to take all necessary measures to restore normalcy.

Meanwhile, a 53-year-old man was reportedly killed and several others injured in clashes between the Hmar and Zomi tribes in Churachandpur district.

According to police reports, clashes broke out on Tuesday night, hours after organisations representing the two tribes reached a peace understanding.

The clashes first broke out on Monday night over a road rage incident on Sunday involving a Hmar leader, who was thrashed by unknown men.

Tuesday's hostilities erupted after some people tried to remove the flag of a Zomi armed group in the district dominated by the Kuki and Zo tribes, the police said.

Before the security forces could reach the affected locality, mobs and armed members of both the Zomi and Hmar tribes fired shots and threw stones at each other, the police said, adding that security personnel fired tear gas shells and several rounds in the air to disperse the mobs.

The officer said they are yet to find out the cause of death of Lalropui Pakhumate, 53, during the clashes.

The security forces found it challenging to control the mobs that vandalised properties as armed members from both the warring tribes joined the crowds, the police said.

"We are trying to identify who fired the shots," the officer said.

Hundreds of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel have been deployed in Churachandpur town and adjoining areas to prevent people from getting violent.

The CAPF personnel led by senior officers conducted flag marches in violence-hit areas of the district.

The Hmar Inpui, and the Zomi Council on Tuesday withdrew an indefinite shutdown called by them on Monday after elders from the two communities settled the row over the assault on the Hmar tribal leader, Richard Hmar, on Sunday.

Church and tribal leaders also issued a five-point joint statement calling for peace, unity and reconciliation among all ethnic and religious groups.

"To prevent the recurrence of such misunderstandings and to foster mutual trust and communal harmony in the district (Churachandpur), a joint peace committee will be established to monitor the situation and address any misunderstandings that may arise between communities in the future," they said.

According to a police source, initial clash between the two communities started on March 16 around 7.30pm when Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Laltan puia Hmar was abducted, thrashed and abandoned by some unidentified persons.

The incident occurred after controversy in the Vaiphei People's Council election conducted the same day.

Large number of youth belonging to both the communities came out to the streets in Churachandpur town and started pelting stones to each other.

The violent clash left many youth on both the sides injured.

Hmar and Zomi CSO leaders along with family members of Richard Laltanpuia Hmar and those involved in the March 16 incident sat together on Tuesday afternoon and reached an understanding.

However; fresh clashes erupted between youth of the two communities from 7.30 pm Tuesday on the matter that some people tried to remove flags of a Zomi armed group erected in Churachandpur town.

Apart from stone pelting and slingshot, both the sides used firearms in the clashes at different places of the town.

Lalropui Pakhumate was killed in the clashes while more than 30 youths of both the communities were injured.

Several houses and private properties were also damaged in the violence.

As security personnel deployed in Churachandpur town could not contain the violence, additional central forces rushed in and fired numerous tear gas shells and smoke bombs to contain the violence.

Eventually, security forces managed to bring the situation under control late Tuesday night after youth belonging to the both the communities were dispersed.

To prevent further violence, steps have been taken up to relocated the displaced persons from Churachandpur new bazar to Tuibong relief camp.

On the other hand, the Kuki Zo Council strongly condemned the assault of Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Laltanpuia Hmar on March 16 evening and warned that perpetrators should come out and accept their mistakes.

The clashes between Zomi and Hmar tribes started after Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard was attacked by some Zomi people on Sunday, leading to violence and the imposition of curfew in the district the next day.

According to sources, Richard Hmar was driving a vehicle which almost hit a two-wheeler rider belonging to the Zomi community.

This led to a brief altercation that ultimately resulted in the assault.

In response to the assault on Richard Hmar and clashes between the two communities, the Hmar Village Volunteers (HVV) imposed a total shutdown in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts.

Pherzawl is predominantly inhabited by the Hmar tribe, while Jiribam is home to multiple ethnic communities, with Meeteis forming the majority.

However, a settlement was reached on Tuesday, with the attacker's family agreeing to pay Rs 50,000 to Richard Hmar's kin for holding a traditional and customary peace feast, another official said.

The two sides also agreed that the attacker's families would initially pay Rs 2 lakh for the medical treatment of Richard Hmar and provide more money to him if needed.

Both parties had also agreed that the violence against one another should not occur in the future, he said.

(With inputs from agencies) .