Peace Shattered in Manipur's Jiribam as Violence Resumes

Fresh violence erupts in Manipur's Jiribam district within 24 hours of a peace agreement, as armed men torch an abandoned house and fire shots, reigniting tensions between communities.

Just a day after Meitei and Hmar communities reached an agreement to restore normalcy in Manipur's Jiribam district, fresh violence erupted on Friday night, officials reported on Saturday. Armed men torched an abandoned house and fired multiple rounds in Lalpani village, disrupting the fragile peace.

The incident occurred in an isolated Meitei settlement, where most houses had been abandoned since the outbreak of violence in the district. "Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, took advantage of security lapses in the area to commit the arson," an official stated. Security forces were promptly dispatched to the area following the attack.

This outbreak of violence comes on the heels of a meeting held Thursday at a CRPF facility in neighboring Assam's Cachar district. Representatives from Meitei, Hmar, Thadou, Paite, and Mizo communities had agreed to work towards restoring normalcy and preventing further incidents of arson and firing.

The joint statement issued after the meeting pledged full cooperation with security forces and facilitation of controlled movement in the district. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for August 15.

Jiribam, known for its ethnic diversity, had largely escaped the violence that has plagued other parts of Manipur since May 2023. However, tensions escalated in June after the discovery of a mutilated farmer's body, leading to widespread displacement and the relocation of thousands to relief camps.

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The resurgence of violence highlights the fragility of peace efforts in the region. More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ongoing ethnic conflict between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kuki-Zo groups.

As authorities work to contain the situation, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in achieving lasting peace in Manipur's complex ethnic landscape.