Tensions escalated in Jiribam, Manipur, on Saturday, as shots were fired and an abandoned house was torched, just 24 hours after an agreement was reached between the Meitei and Hmar communities to restore normalcy in the district.
The violence has reignited concerns over security in the region, which has been plagued by ethnic clashes.
The incident occurred on Friday night when armed men set fire to an abandoned house in Lalpani village.
"This is an isolated settlement with only a few Meitei houses, most of which were abandoned following earlier violence in the area," an official stated.
The unidentified assailants took advantage of lapses in security to carry out the act of arson, with reports indicating that several rounds of gunfire were directed at the village.
In response to the outbreak of violence, security forces were promptly deployed to the region to restore order.
The agreement reached on Thursday involved a meeting at a CRPF facility in neighbouring Assam's Cachar.
The meeting, moderated by district administration representatives, Assam Rifles, and CRPF personnel, also included delegates from the Thadou, Paite, and Mizo communities.
The parties involved agreed to cooperate in bringing normalcy and preventing further incidents of arson and gunfire.
A joint statement issued by the representatives highlighted their commitment to facilitating coordinated movement and supporting the efforts of security forces in Jiribam.
The next meeting to address the situation is scheduled for August 15.
The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has resulted in over 200 deaths and left thousands homeless since May of the previous year. Jiribam, known for its ethnic diversity, had largely remained unaffected until recent months.
The unrest escalated following the discovery of a mutilated body of a farmer in June, which prompted violent reprisals from both sides and forced many residents to seek refuge in relief camps.
Additionally, a CRPF jawan was killed in a militant ambush in mid-July, further straining the already fragile situation.
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