Manipur tribal groups fight over naming of burial sites

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for two months in Churachandpur district following a fight between Kuki and Zo tribal communities, ethnically similar groups, at Thingkangphal village. They had differences over naming of burial sites. Several people were injured in the clashes on Monday. To prevent escalation of tension, mobile data access has been shut down in the district.

Sources said that the conflict arose after a Zomi flag was raised and Zogam (Zoland) graphics displayed near a memorial stone in Thingkangphai, a Kuki village, which has a good proportion of Zo population.

Tension had been brewing between the groups, initially triggered by disagreements over the naming of the burial site of those killed in clashes that began on May 3. Sources said the confrontation occurred at Selmat bridge, resulting in 22 individuals being injured, with some sustaining minor head injuries.


Police and CRPF managed to disperse the crowd and restore order.