Manipur: Mass Burial postponed after MHA request

A mass burial of 35 tribal victims of the raging violence in Manipur at the Torbung Bangla area was postponed by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Thursday, following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"We had a marathon meeting last night till 4 in the morning due to a new development. The MHA requested us to delay the burial for five more days and that if we comply with that request we will be allowed to bury in the same location and the government will legalize the land for the burial."said a statement issued by ITLF. "After long deliberation with various stakeholders late in the night, we have come to the conclusion that we will consider the request of MHA, provided they have given us a written assurance on five demands.”it added.

Five demands issued by the ITLF include – legalization of the burial site, withdrawal of Meitei forces from the hill districts, transportation of the dead bodies from Imphal to Churachandpur, transfer of tribal jail inmates to other states for their safety, and lastly, a speedy separation from Manipur.
The statement issued by the Home Ministry said, “The government of India is seized off the issue of the last rites of the mortal remains of those killed in the ethnic violence in Manipur. Government of India appeals to all concerned to maintain peace and harmony and it assures that it will spare no efforts to resolve the aforementioned issue amicably to the utmost satisfaction of all the parties within a period of seven days.”

The mass burial was scheduled to take place at S.Boljang, near Haoli Khopi in Churachandpur district. A large gathering of people was slated to take place in Churachandpur during the last rites of the victims, some of whose bodies were kept in the morgue for over three months. Security in Bishunupur and Churachandpur was beefed up, ahead of the demonstration, to prevent any fresh flare ups.
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) criticized the tribal’s for their selection of the burial site. They further stated that the tribal’s are playing politics over the dead bodies. COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said, "To newly create a mass grave at the abandoned Meitei villages would not only provoke the sentiments of the people on both sides but also remain as a symbol of permanent enmity among the villagers."

Chief Justice M.V.Muralidharan and Justice A. Guneshwar of the Manipur High Court too heard the matter this morning and passed an order at 6am. The court order stated that the Union government, state government, and members of both the communities involved should maintain status quo on the site in question. They have also been asked to formulate an amicable settlement centering on the matter at hand. The next hearing on the issue is scheduled to take place on August 9. 

Major clashes were averted by the forces today. However, the forces had to resort to tear gas firing to disburse the mob.