Vehicles stayed off the roads, school and office attendance was thin and security forces patrolled Manipur’s curfew-bound Churachandpur district on Thursday, two days after clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities that claimed a life and left several injured, police said.
Throughout Wednesday night, security personnel conducted flag marches to prevent further violence.
At least one person, 51-year-old Lalropui Pakhuangte from the Hmar community, was killed in Tuesday night’s clashes.
He suffered bullet injuries and was taken to Sielmat Christian Hospital in Churachandpur, where he was
declared dead.
The clashes between the two tribes started after Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Hmar was attacked by some Zomi people on Sunday, leading to violence and imposition of curfew in the district the next day.
Meanwhile, several displaced people from the Kuki community in relief camps were moved to safer locations.
Churachandpur town is mainly home to Zomi people, with Hmar and Kuki communities living in some areas.
Hours after a shutdown was imposed by a student body in Churachandpur district on Wednesday, a group of MLAs and tribal organisations separately appealed for peace.
In a joint statement, at least 12 Kuki-Zomi and Hmar organisations based in Churachandpur district have called for peace among communities and agreed to form a joint peace committee to monitor the situation and prevent misunderstandings in the future.
Six MLAs from Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts have also issued a joint appeal for peace and harmony, urging the administration to take necessary measures to restore law and order..
