CHURACHANDPUR, March 19: The Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) has called for an emergency shutdown in Churachandpur district following a violent clash between the Zomi and Hmar communities that resulted in the death of one person and injuries to several others on Tuesday night. In response to the escalating violence, security forces conducted a flag march in the sensitive areas of the district on Wednesday to restore order.

According to a statement issued by the ZSF, the shutdown will keep all normal activities, including business operations, schools, and colleges, closed indefinitely. The federation emphasized that the emergency shutdown will remain in place until the situation improves. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, with exemptions granted only for examination-related activities.

The violent altercation occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday near the Seilmat area, where tensions flared between the Zomi and Hmar tribes. Reports indicate that the violence erupted after a group of Hmar youth allegedly took down a Zomi flag hoisted in the vicinity. The incident led to the tragic death of Ropui Pakumte, a man from the Hmar tribe, and left several others injured.

Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar in a statement assured the public that law enforcement teams have been fully deployed to maintain order and address the situation. “We have taken constant measures to address the situation. Our law enforcement teams are fully deployed to maintain order, and appropriate measures are being taken to de-escalate tensions,” Kumar said.

In response to the growing unrest, security forces conducted a flag march in the affected areas on Wednesday morning to take control of the situation. Kumar also made a public appeal to tribal leaders, church leaders, philanthropic organizations, and civil society groups to come together and help restore peace in the district.

Prohibitory orders remain in force in the district following earlier clashes between the two tribes on March 17. The shutdown came after tensions had been exacerbated by an alleged assault on Richard Hmar, the General Secretary of Hmar Inpui, by unidentified miscreants at the VK Montessori complex on March 18. The Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council, the apex bodies of the respective tribes, had called off the shutdown imposed on March 18 following this incident.