Churachandpur: A total of 87 bodies, including a one-month old baby according to ITLF, who died in Manipur violence, were buried during a mass burial programme held at Kuki-Zo martyrs cemetery, Sehken in Churachandpur district on Wednesday.
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The mass burial programme was organised by Joint Philanthropic Organisation (JPO) at Peace Ground, Tuibuong in Churachandpur district amid heavy security after section 144 imposed in the district following clashes between members of two tribal student bodies on Sunday night. The prohibitory orders is in force till February 18, 2024 to avoid further escalation of violence.
The burial of the 87 bodies from the Kuki-Zomi community took place after nearly eight months into Manipur violence which erupted on May 3.
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Out of the total 87 bodies, 41 were airlifted from Imphal last week and another 46 were already lying at the Churachandpur hospital morgue. The retrieval of bodies from Imphal and vice versa could happened only after the Supreme Court intervened by directing the state government to facilitate the dignified burial of those killed in the conflict after handing over the bodies to victims’ kins.
Mostly adorned in dark coloured dress, hundreds of Kuki-Zomi members, including the families of the victims, attended the funeral service and paid their final tribute to those who have died in the violence.
Taking to X, the Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum (ITLF) wrote, “Rest, warriors, under our ancestral land’s embrace. Your sacrifice etches justice’s trace. We’ll carry you every stride, Until our tapestry, whole and wide.”