Imphal: In response to rising tensions over the hoisting of community flags in a disputed area, authorities in Manipur’s Churachandpur district have imposed a curfew in specific regions to prevent further unrest between the Zomi and Hmar tribes.
The discord began on April 8, when flags representing the two communities were raised in a contested zone between V Munhoih and Rengkai villages, both inhabited by different tribal groups. The incident reignited simmering disputes and prompted the district administration to take preventive measures.
Churachandpur District Magistrate Dharun Kumar issued a notification enforcing curfew in V Munhoih and Rengkai villages, as well as across the Kangvai, Samulamlan, and Sangaikot sub-divisions. However, the curfew will be relaxed in other parts of the district from 6 am to 5 pm daily until April 17, allowing residents to access essential services and supplies. The administration stated that any further relaxation of restrictions will be based on a continuous assessment of the law and order situation.
In a bid to ease tensions, village authorities from Rengkai and V Munhoih convened a peace meeting in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police. During the dialogue, community leaders jointly affirmed that the dispute over the land was a matter of settlement, not communal rivalry. They also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media platforms.
This latest flare-up follows a violent clash on March 18 in Churachandpur town, where one person lost their life and several others were injured after a Zomi flag was taken down from a mobile tower and discarded, triggering outrage and confrontations between members of the Zomi and Hmar communities.
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