Manipur's Kuki community postpones mass burial following Home Ministry's appeal

These demands include the legalisation of the burial site in S. Boljang of Churachandpur, Manipur, the exclusion of Meitei state forces from all hill districts for the safety of the Kuki-Zo communities, the transportation of deceased Kuki-Zo individuals from Imphal to Lamka (Churachandpur) due to the burial delay, and the acceleration of their political demand for total separation from Manipur. The ITLF also demands the transfer of tribal jail inmates in Imphal to other states for their safety.

The ITLF emphasised that if the MHA fails to provide a written assurance for their demands before the start of the program, they will proceed with the burial as planned. However, if the MHA does give a written assurance, they will continue with the program but postpone the burial part.

The land originally designated for the burial was government-owned, and the state government requested the Kuki community to refrain from proceeding with the burial there for two primary reasons.

Firstly, conducting a mass burial on government land could create controversy. Secondly, the land lies in a border area between valleys and hills, making it highly sensitive from a communal perspective.

There were protests from the Meitei community against the burial, and the administration deployed significant forces in the area due to concerns about potential unrest. Additionally, one group of Meitei reached out to the court, leading to a status quo being imposed on the burial.

In the next seven days, the tribal community will submit applications for the event.