Tension in Manipur's Churachandpur following assault of Hmar tribal leader

Tensions rise in Manipur as Hmar tribe leader assaulted, locals demand justice, police impose prohibitory orders.

A day after a leader of the Hmar tribe was assaulted by unknown miscreants in Manipur’s Churachandpur district headquarters town, tensions escalated on Monday (March 17, 2025) as locals demanded the identification of the perpetrators, police said.

As a precautionary measure, the additional district magistrate imposed prohibitory orders across the district under Section 163 of the BNSS 2023.

"Whereas reports have been received from the Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur, indicating a serious apprehension of a breach of law and order in the district, which is likely to disturb peace and tranquility among different communities and may lead to damage to life and public property," the order stated.

Emphasising the urgent need to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents, the order prohibited unauthorised processions or unlawful assemblies of five or more persons. It also banned the carrying of arms or instruments that can be used as weapons, including sticks, rods and stones.

According to police, protesters have been attempting to enforce a shutdown in the town, urging shops to close immediately.

Groups of men carrying sticks were also seen patrolling the streets, trying to impose the shutdown. There have been reports of stone pelting by mobs in some areas, they said.

According to officials, general secretary Richard Hmar of Hmar Inpui, one of the apex bodies of the tribe, was attacked by a group of men inside the VK Montessori complex at Zenhang Lamka around 7.30pm on Sunday.