Temporarily Postponed: Burial Dispute Of 35 Deceased Kuki Zo Community Members In Manipur

Manipur, 3rd August 2023: The mass burial of 35 deceased individuals from the Kuki Zo community in Tuibong, located in the border area of Churachandpur district, has been temporarily postponed. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appealed to the Kuki community, assuring them that they will address the burial matter and work towards a resolution within the next 7 days.

The Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum (ITLF) held an extensive meeting, lasting until 4 in the morning, to discuss recent developments. The MHA requested a delay of 5 more days for the burial, promising that if the request is followed, the Kuki community would be permitted to bury their dead at the same location, and the government would legalize the land for this purpose. The Mizoram Chief Minister also endorsed this request.

After thorough deliberations with various stakeholders, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) agreed to consider the MHA’s request for a 5-day delay in the burial, subject to certain conditions:

1. The burial site in S. Boljang of Churachandpur, Manipur (Dag No. 2022, 2025, 2161, and 2162 of 98-Torbung Lourup of Churachandpur district) must be legally recognized.
2. Meitei state forces should not be deployed in any hill districts to ensure the safety of the Kuki-Zo communities.
3. As the burial is delayed, the dead bodies of the Kuki-Zo communities currently in Imphal should be brought to Lamka (Churachandpur).
4. The political demand for total separation from Manipur should be expedited.
5. Tribal jail inmates in Imphal should be relocated to other states for their safety.

The ITLF stated that if the MHA fails to provide a written assurance regarding these demands before the scheduled program, they will proceed with the burial as originally planned. However, if the MHA provides a written assurance, they will proceed with the program but postpone the burial part.

According to sources, the designated burial site is government-owned land, and the state government has requested the Kuki community not to proceed with the burial there due to two main reasons. Firstly, the mass burial on government land could lead to controversies. Secondly, the land is situated in a sensitive area that borders both valleys and hills, making it highly sensitive from a communal perspective.

Protests from the Meitei side were also strong, with a rally held in the valley opposing such burials. Consequently, significant forces were deployed in the area, raising concerns about the planned event. Additionally, one group of Meitei approached the court, resulting in a status quo order on the matter.

In the upcoming seven days, the tribal community will be applying for the burial event, and it is expected to be given utmost importance, with the Centre also looking into the issue.