Curfew Enforced in Manipur’s Churachandpur Following Tensions

Guwahati:Authorities in Manipur's Churachandpur district have imposed a curfew in certain areas following a flare-up of tensions between two tribal communities over the placement of community flags in a disputed zone. The unrest began on April 8 between the Zomi and Hmar tribes after flags were hoisted in a contested area located between the villages of V Munhoih and Rengkai.In response to the escalating tension, District Magistrate Dharun Kumar announced a curfew in the conflict-affected villages, as well as across the Kangvai, Samulamlan, and Sangaikot sub-divisions. The decision was taken to maintain law and order and prevent any potential outbreak of violence.However, the curfew will be relaxed in the other parts of the district from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm daily until April 17 to ensure residents can access essential supplies and services. Officials have clarified that any further extensions or modifications to the curfew will depend on ongoing assessments of the ground situation.In an attempt to de-escalate the conflict, a meeting was convened with the involvement of village leaders from both Rengkai and V Munhoih. The session, attended by the district’s Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, concluded with a collective appeal to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation or provocative content on social media platforms.Leaders from both sides acknowledged that the dispute stemmed from land ownership disagreements rather than communal hostilities. It was mutually agreed that the issue would be resolved at the village level through peaceful negotiation and dialogue, steering clear of violence or further discord.The region has witnessed similar tensions in the past. On March 18, an incident involving the removal and desecration of a Zomi flag led to violent clashes in Churachandpur town, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.Authorities remain on alert as efforts continue to restore peace and stability in the district.