A day after an agreement was signed between Hmar and Meitei representatives to restore peace in ethnic violence-hit Jiribam district of Manipur, the apex body of the Hmar community said that the pact stood "null and void". Fresh violence was reported in Jiribam on Friday as shots were fired and an abandoned house in a Meitei village was torched, officials said.
The Hmar Inpui, the apex body of the community, claimed that its affiliated units signed the agreement without the knowledge of the general headquarters and dissolved its Jiribam unit in response.
"Hmar Inpui, general headquarters, is shocked to learn about the peace initiative that was taken on August 1, 2024 at a CRPF facility in Cachar, Assam. The first such initiative was held in Silchar on July 1. The Hmar Inpui condemned the engaging actors and negated the efforts that took place without our prior, informed consent," it said in a statement on Friday.
"However, disrespecting the resolution of Hmar Inpui, members of Hmar Inpui/Jiribam Region, Hmar National Union (HNU) and several individuals continue to bow to the whims and fancies of a divisive and communal state government," it added.
Hmar Inpui hereby declares the initiatives of August 1, 2024 between the representatives of Meitei and Hmar of Jiribam district as null and void. Accordingly, Hmar Inpui dissolved Hmar Inpui, Jiribam region and all its affiliated organisations (HYA, HSA, HNU, HWA) under Jiribam jurisdiction, it added.
The body also warned "individuals who participated in the event to stop their blind and selfish efforts and not represent Hmar community in any manner and if they wish to continue the efforts, they shall do so at their own risk".
Representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities reached an agreement at a meeting held at a CRPF facility in adjoining Assam's Cachar on Thursday. The meeting was moderated by Jiribam district administration, Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel. Representatives of Thadou, Paite and Mizo communities of the district were also present in the meeting.
"The meeting resolved that both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing. Both sides shall give full cooperation to all the security forces operating in the Jiribam district. Both sides agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement," a joint statement issued and signed by representatives of all the participating communities said.
(With PTI inputs)
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