Fresh Clashes Erupt in Manipur’s Churachandpur Despite Peace Deal, One Dead.

Fresh Clashes Erupt in Manipur’s Churachandpur Despite Peace Deal, One Dead.

By Panthunggi Paodam
March 19, 2025 | Manipur

A fragile peace in Manipur’s restive Churachandpur district shattered on Tuesday evening (March 18) as renewed clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities left a 53-year-old man, Lalropui Pakhumate, dead. The violence, which erupted just hours after a peace settlement between the two groups, prompted authorities to impose a curfew and led the Zomi Students’ Federation to call for an indefinite emergency shutdown starting Wednesday, March 19.

The latest flare-up began when members of the Hmar community opposed a Zomi group hoisting their community flag on the outskirts of Churachandpur town. What started as a disagreement quickly escalated into deadly clashes, reigniting tensions that had been simmering since an assault on Hmar leader Richard Hmar on March 16. Pakhumate was killed in the violence, plunging the district into chaos once again.

A Failed Peace Agreement

The clash came as a shock to many, as earlier on Tuesday, the Hmar Inpui Manipur and the Zomi Council had signed an agreement to end hostilities following the assault on Richard Hmar, a prominent leader of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum. The two sides had resolved to settle the matter through tribal customary laws, with the attacker’s family agreeing to pay ₹50,000 for a traditional peace feast and ₹2 lakh for Hmar’s medical treatment, with additional funds promised if required.

However, the flag-hoisting incident unraveled the fragile truce, exposing the deep-seated mistrust between the communities. The district administration, already on edge after the March 16 assault, responded swiftly by imposing a curfew and deploying security forces for flag marches to restore order.

Shutdown and Appeals for Peace

In response to the killing and escalating tensions, the Zomi Students’ Federation declared an “indefinite emergency shutdown” across Churachandpur on Wednesday. “Given the volatile situation, all normal activities shall remain suspended. Schools, colleges, shops, and business establishments will stay closed, and we advise people to remain indoors until the situation improves,” the federation said in a statement.

Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S. issued a second “public appeal” urging calm and restraint. “I urge all individuals, community leaders, and groups to refrain from further violence and work towards peace and reconciliation,” Kumar said. “Violence only harms our community, and no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Such actions will face strict legal consequences.”

Kumar also encouraged community leaders to engage in dialogue with the administration and law enforcement to resolve disputes peacefully, assuring residents that every effort was being made to ensure their safety. “This is a critical time for us to stand united and set aside differences,” he added.

A Broader Context of Unrest

The Hmar-Zomi clashes are the latest chapter in Manipur’s ongoing ethnic conflict, which has claimed over 250 lives and displaced 60,000 people since May 2023. The broader unrest pits the non-tribal Meitei community against the Kuki-Zo tribal group, of which both Hmars and Zomis are considered constituents. The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh, with the 60-member Assembly placed in suspended animation.

Amid the turmoil, Supreme Court judges are scheduled to visit relief camps in Manipur on March 22 to assess the humanitarian situation, while Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy in the state.

Uncertain Road Ahead

As security forces patrol the streets of Churachandpur and residents brace for an indefinite shutdown, the district remains on edge. The failure of Tuesday’s peace deal underscores the challenges of reconciling deep ethnic divisions in a region scarred by violence. For now, the administration’s pleas for unity and dialogue hang in the balance, as Manipur’s fragile peace continues to unravel.

Stay tuned to Panthunggi Paodam for updates on this developing story.