GUWAHATI: Hmar Inpui, the top association representing Hmar tribe of Kuki-Chin-Zo ethnic group, declared Saturday a peace agreement brokered two day ago between Meiteis and tribal group in Manipur‘s Jiribam as “null and void”, saying it was signed “without our prior, informed consent”.
Jiribam has a multi-ethnic demography and remained untouched until this summer by the sectarian strife in Manipur that erupted in May 2023.However, conflict engulfed the district bordering Assam following the alleged killing of a 59-year-old man by unidentified people, which led to retaliatory burning of houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities on June 6 this year. Many residents fled and took refuge in Assam because of the flare-up.
Tensions reignited in Jiribam on Saturday as miscreants set a house on fire and engaged in gunfire and mortar bombing in Mongbung Seijang village.
On Aug 1, a reconciliation meeting moderated by district authorities and held at Dayapur near Silchar was held to foster cooperation between Meiteis and Hmars of Jiribam. The meeting led to an agreement to prevent arson and firing, with plans for a follow-up meeting after Aug 15.
Manipur govt had described the agreement as a significant step toward peace in the state. However, Hmar Inpui rejected the agreement. “Hmar Inpui firmly believes that any peace effort ought to have a firm foundation in respect and dignity of every human being. Hmar Inpui stands resolute against the divisive communal game of Mr Biren Singh-led govt…our people have been suffering decades of majoritarian communal politics in Manipur,” the association said.
Jiribam has a multi-ethnic demography and remained untouched until this summer by the sectarian strife in Manipur that erupted in May 2023.However, conflict engulfed the district bordering Assam following the alleged killing of a 59-year-old man by unidentified people, which led to retaliatory burning of houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities on June 6 this year. Many residents fled and took refuge in Assam because of the flare-up.
Tensions reignited in Jiribam on Saturday as miscreants set a house on fire and engaged in gunfire and mortar bombing in Mongbung Seijang village.
On Aug 1, a reconciliation meeting moderated by district authorities and held at Dayapur near Silchar was held to foster cooperation between Meiteis and Hmars of Jiribam. The meeting led to an agreement to prevent arson and firing, with plans for a follow-up meeting after Aug 15.
Manipur govt had described the agreement as a significant step toward peace in the state. However, Hmar Inpui rejected the agreement. “Hmar Inpui firmly believes that any peace effort ought to have a firm foundation in respect and dignity of every human being. Hmar Inpui stands resolute against the divisive communal game of Mr Biren Singh-led govt…our people have been suffering decades of majoritarian communal politics in Manipur,” the association said.