Manipur violence: 19 victims laid to rest seven months after death

The bodies of 19 people, who were killed in ethnic clashes in Manipur, were laid to rest in the Kangpokpi district on Friday. The bodies were airlifted in an Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper from Imphal on Thursday for the last rites.

A mass burial was held at Phaijang village after the bodies were transported from Imphal morgues, over seven months after state-wide violence broke out in the state.

A 12-hour shutdown was called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) in Kangpokpi, Sadar Hills and all the Kuki-Zo community members were asked to hoist a black flag in every household to mark the mourning.

"The handing over of the bodies marked the much-awaited homecoming of our fallen brothers and



sisters after a long tumultuous eight months of despair, heartbreak and hopeless," the Committee said in a statement.

The mass burial was held under the theme, "You Sacrifice Your Today For Our Tomorrow" at Martyr's Cemetery in the village. Locals will be mourning the whole night at the Martyr Cemetery where the dead bodies are laid.

Bodies of 87 other members of the tribal community will be buried on December 20 in Churachandpur district, convenor of the Joint Philanthropic Organisations( JPO) Laldawnlian Varte said, reported news agency PTI.

The ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3 after a protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.