Manipur’s Churachandpur district witnessed violent clashes and protests after the general secretary of the Hmar Inpui, Richard Hmar, was brutally assaulted by unknown individuals. In response to the escalating tensions, authorities have imposed a curfew and deployed security forces to restore order.

Assault triggers unrest

The incident reportedly began with a minor altercation between Richard Hmar and a two-wheeler rider. However, the situation worsened when a group of men intercepted him on his way home, blindfolded him, and subjected him to relentless assault despite his repeated assertions of identity.

According to a statement by the Hmar Inpui, the assault took place inside the campus of VK Montessori School in Zenhang Lamka. The leader suffered severe injuries and excessive bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention.

Protests and curfew enforcement

Following the attack, the Hmar Inpui issued a demand for the perpetrators to present themselves at their office by 10 AM on Monday. When this deadline passed, protests erupted in Churachandpur, with hundreds of Hmar community members taking to the streets, shouting slogans and throwing stones.

To prevent further violence, authorities enforced a curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Security forces were called in to control the clashes, which reportedly involved confrontations between Hmar, Kuki, and Zomi tribal groups.

Videos from the protests depict demonstrators removing and discarding a Zomi flag from a mobile tower while others cheered in support.

Calls for peace

The Thadou Students’ Association General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) expressed deep concern over the growing unrest among the region’s non-Naga tribal groups, particularly between the Kuki/Kuki-Zo, Hmar, and Zomi communities.

“We urge all concerned groups… to prioritise negotiations over hostility… We also call upon the government and civil society organisations to facilitate peace-building efforts in the spirit of justice, fairness, and mutual respect,” the TSA-GHQ said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Churachandpur District Commissioner Dharun Kumar S appealed for calm, emphasizing the district’s long-standing values of unity and diversity.

“Violence and unrest will not lead to a solution, and it is in all our best interests to find common ground through peaceful discussions and dialogues,” Kumar said, urging residents to refrain from spreading unverified information that could further inflame tensions.

As the situation remains tense, authorities continue to monitor developments, hoping for a resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that if the BJP is elected to power in Jharkhand, it will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) while excluding tribal communities from its provisions.

Speaking in Ranchi during the release of the party’s manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the upcoming Assembly elections, Shah emphasised that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government’s claims that the UCC would threaten tribal rights and culture are unfounded.

“Our government will introduce UCC in Jharkhand but tribals will be kept out of its ambit. The JMM government is making false propaganda that UCC will impact tribal rights and culture, which is totally baseless as they will be kept out of its ambit,” the senior BJP leader said.

Additionally, Shah stated that the BJP, if successful in the elections, would address the Sarna religious code issue and establish a Displacement Commission to aid those affected by industrial and mining activities in the state.

“BJP, if voted to power in Jharkhand, will deliberate on the Sarna religious code issue, and take appropriate decisions. A Displacement Commission will be formed to ensure the rehabilitation of people displaced by industries and mines in Jharkhand,” She said.

The party aims to create 500,000 job opportunities, including 287,000 government positions, to bolster employment in Jharkhand, the Union Home Minister promised.

Shah also assured that the BJP would conduct investigations by the CBI and SIT into ongoing “paper leak” scandals and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Moreover, he highlighted plans to enact laws to reclaim land from illegal immigrants and to identify and deport these individuals, asserting that the rights of land, women, and food for local residents are at risk due to illegal immigration.

He accused the JMM-led government of facilitating illegal immigration, claiming it had resulted in a decline in the tribal population and significant demographic changes in the state. Shah expressed concerns over Hindu communities feeling under siege and criticised the state government for widespread corruption.

Shah arrived in Ranchi on Saturday night and was set to hold rallies in Ghatshila, Barkatha, and Simaria the following day. The state Assembly elections, which will elect members to the 81-seat assembly, are scheduled to occur in two phases on November 13 and 20, with the results to be counted on November 23.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the candidates for prestigious Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh will be announced in a few days. He was addressing a press conference where he claimed that though the BJP says the corrupt must be put in jails, when leaders facing corruption charges join the saffron party, they are put on the lap and sent to Rajya Sabha or assembly.

On being asked about the names of the candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies he said the people will have to wait for a few more days. He said when the names of candidates come from people to him and he will sign the notification, then the announcement will be made.

On being questioned about Congress leaders changing constituencies Kharge asked how many times have Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani changed their seats. His response came when asked about the BJP criticising Rahul Gandhi for fighting the elections from Kerala’s Wayanad instead of Amethi. Referring to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge said the Congress is not affected by people who grew up in the party and left it later.

The Congress president launched an all round attack on the BJP and PM Modi and said the prime minister did not implement even one of his electoral promises and still says Modi did a lot of work for the country. Addressing the press conference he said the BJP never fought for the independence of India, but Congress is a party of those who made India independent. He said the BJP never fought for the independence of India, for the development of India. The Congress President said the BJP speaks so much about patriotism and that the contribution of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri is nothing before them.