Hmar Apex Body Declares Peace Pact “Null and Void” Amid Fresh Violence in Jiribam
Imphal, 3rd August. Hmar Inpui, the apex body of the Hmar community, has declared the recent peace agreement with the Meitei representatives as “null and void.” This decision comes just a day after the accord was signed to address the ongoing ethnic violence in Jiribam district of Manipur.
On August 1, 2024, representatives from both Hmar and Meitei communities had reached an agreement at a CRPF facility in Cachar, Assam. The meeting, moderated by Jiribam district administration, Assam Rifles, and CRPF personnel, aimed to restore peace and prevent further violence. The accord promised full cooperation to security forces and coordinated efforts to bring normalcy.
However, the Hmar Inpui has repudiated this agreement, claiming that their general headquarters was not informed about the negotiations. The body stated that the affiliated units acted without authorization, leading to the dissolution of its Jiribam unit and all related organizations.
“Hmar Inpui is shocked by the peace initiative taken on August 1 and condemns the efforts that occurred without our informed consent,” the body said in a statement. They also warned those involved in the agreement to cease representing the Hmar community, noting that their efforts would be considered personal and not endorsed by the Hmar Inpui.
The announcement came amidst fresh violence in Jiribam, where shots were fired and an abandoned house in a Meitei village was set on fire. An official reported that miscreants took advantage of security lapses to commit arson and target the village with gunfire. Security forces have been deployed to the area in response.
Since May last year, ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups have resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of people displaced. Jiribam, which had previously remained relatively unaffected, has seen a surge in violence following the discovery of a mutilated body in June.
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