Amit Shah requests ITLF leaders to find alternate location for mass burial of Kuki-Zo martyrs

The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has requested the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) not to insist on carrying out the Martyrs burial place to the conflict zone, but to identify an alternate location in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur, and perform burial of the deceased Kuki-Zo tribes at the earliest.

A delegation of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum called on the Union Home Minister on Wednesday at New Delhi. The meeting was held as a follow-up of the appeal made by the Government of India on August 3, 2023 to amicably resolve the issue of burial of the mortal remains of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur.

Discussions was held on various issues including the contentious site for burial of mortal remains of Kuki-Zo martyrs, demand for  separate administrations, deployment of additional central forces, transportation and identification of dead bodies of ethnic strife lying in Imphal, helicopter services, conditions of prison inmates in Imphal and challenges of Kuki Zo students.

On the request of the ITLF leaders that the land of the Industry Department at Government Sericulture Farm at S. Boljang (Bangla), Churachandpur, be allotted for burial of the mortal remains, the Home Minister assured that the said land will only be utilised for a common public purpose in consultation with ITLF and other stakeholders. The Home Minister requested the delegation not to insist on carrying out the burial programme at the same venue, which falls within the conflict zone.

The delegation team said that in view of the request made by Amit Shah, the issue would be finalised after consultation with the people and the people's decision would be intimidated back to the Union Home Ministry.

In regards to the separate administration demand, Amit Shah responded that violence should be cease first to create a normalize environment to pave the way for political solutions.

Taking note of the apprehensions of the residents of the hills on their safety and security, the Union Home Minister assured that the deployment of the Central Forces in the state will be further strengthened and reoriented to plug vulnerable gap areas. The State Forces will operate under the direction of the State Security Advisor and in conjunction with the Central Forces in the hill areas, official sources said.

Amit Shah also told the ITLF leaders that necessary arrangements will be made to facilitate transportation and identification of dead bodies of victims of ethnic strife lying in Imphal to their respective hometowns.

The centre representatives also assured to facilitate early initiation of helicopter services for the residents of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh areas to their preferred destinations.

Considering the difficulties being faced by the student community of the Hill areas, necessary steps will be taken to allow students to enroll in colleges in Hill areas, transfer to universities outside the state and open student facilitation centres of Manipur University in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

While assuring that the condition of the prison inmates would be monitored regularly, the Home Minister also assured that a separate office of the Justice Lamba Inquiry Commission will be set up in Churachandpur with immediate effect.

The centre also urged the cooperation and support of ITLF and the Kuki-Zo community in early disposal of the mortal remains of the victims of the ethnic violence, construction of pre-fabricated housing for the internally displaced persons and restoration of peace in the state to enable progress in the peace talks for resolving the long term issues of the community expeditiously.