Imphal, 19 March (HS): One person has been killed while several others were injured in fresh violence between the Zomi and HMar tribal communities on the outskirts of Manipur's Churachandpur district headquarters. The deceased has been identified as 53-year-old Lalropui Pakhumate.

State police headquarters sources said on Wednesday that the clash took place on the outskirts of Churachandpur town late Tuesday night. The violence erupted when an attempt was made to remove the flag of the Zomi militant organization just hours after the signing of a peace agreement between the apex organizations of the Zomi and HMar communities.

According to the sources, while trying to remove the flag, some people armed with sticks started pelting stones and vandalism. Firing was also done from among the crowd, although it could not be ascertained who fired the shot.

Security forces had to fire tear gas shells and fire in the air to control the situation. Curfew has been imposed in the entire Churachandpur district in view of the violence. Security forces conducted flag marches and appealed to people not to come out of their homes.

Churachandpur District Magistrate Dharun Kumar said in a statement that both sides have suffered serious losses and it is necessary to maintain peace in the district. He appealed to everyone to stay away from violence and cooperate with the administration.

Meanwhile, the Zomi Students Federation has called for a bandh in the district to protest the incident of violence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash