Kuki-Zo pays final tribute to 87 martyrs in Churachandpur; ITLF says their sacrifices will not go in vain

Despite the attempts by many of the Meitei populace to disintegrate the unity among the Kuki-Zo community following the recent unfortunate recent incident among Kuki-Zo youths, the burial ceremony of Kuki-Zo martyrs was held successfully in a grand manner today at Kuki-Zo Martyrs Cemetery at Sehken Village, near Khuga Dam, Churachandpur.

People from all walks of life gathered in thousands for the formal burial ceremony of the martyrs which was first held at Peace Ground Tuibong, Lamka. The function was marked with speeches from Kuki-Zo leaders and songs by the Joint Artiste Association, Lamka.

The programme was attended by the leaders of Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) from Mizoram. The leaders of CYMA in their speech today called for the unity of “Zofate” (Descendants of Zo). The Central leaders of YMA also assured all possible help in future for the Kuki-Zo people of Manipur in their demand for a separate administration.

Veineikim Baite, sister of martyr Jamkhogin Baite, one among the martyrs said that her brother was killed by a Meitei terrorist who runs a Pharmacy in Churachandpur.  She narrated that Jamkhogin was shot dead near Zou Veng.  Veineikim said that her brother was a former Indian Army personnel who had recently retired.  Veineikim said, "Jamkhogin's wish was to spend time with his relatives and family and his wish was very short-lived.”

She further said that the family members have been having a hard time for many months since they could not conduct the burial service of her brother. Veineikim said that the Kuki-Zo are now separated from the Meitei and as such it is the duty of the government to institute a mechanism for separate administration.

Stephen Pulamte, son of another martyr, Minthanglien Pulamte, said his father who was working as a daily wage earner in Imphal was killed by the Meiteis at Imphal on May 3.  After his father passed away, Stephen, who is the oldest son of Minthanglen said they have been longing to perform the last ritual/ rite of his father but that was not possible for many months.

Stephen said, "What the Meiteis have done in Imphal is unforgivable and is injustice of the highest form. In Churachandpur we do not harm the innocent people".

After the formal function, the bodies were carried to the Martyrs Cemetery. State and Central security forces were stationed at different locations from Tuibong to the Kuki-Zo Martyrs Cemetery to avoid any untoward incident.

The road stretching from Peace ground to the Martyrs Cemetery was crowded and jammed with vehicles and people who came to attend the burial service which even led to delay in the burial ceremony.

Prior to the burial, leaders of different denominations were given enough time to perform their necessary religious activities for the burial service of the martyrs.

All together, the burial service of 87 bodies was conducted successfully as per the religious rituals of different denominations.

Local gospel choirs sang funeral songs before the burial while friends and relatives placed floral wreaths on the coffins of the deceased before a special prayer was said as they were lowered into the graves.

Later, MLAs and CSO leaders were also given time to do the needful for the martyrs.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Wednesday said that our martyrs are a testament to the boundless love and unwavering devotion they held for our land, and shall forever echo in the annals of history, said.

"May their souls find eternal peace, knowing that their sacrifices were not in vain, and may their legacy endure as a source of strength, unity, and hope for generations to come," said Ginza Vualzong, Spokesperson ITLF, in a statement as the bodies of 87 martyrs from the Kuki-Zo community were laid to rest in a mass burial ceremony today in Lamka district, more than seven months after being killed in Manipur's ethnic violence.

Five days ago, the funeral of 19 other Kuki-Zo victims took place in Kangpokpi district.

The youngest tribal victim in the ongoing conflict is one-month-old Isaac, while the oldest is 87-year-old Veinem Chongloi. One hundred and sixty tribals have died during the violence, including 13 whose bodies have not yet been recovered.

At the burial site in Sehken, volunteers from various philanthropic organizations prepared 87 graves on the morning of the ceremony, using pickaxes to dig into the rocky ground, preferring hands over machines to show their respect for the martyrs.

With crosses laid on top of the coffins, a traditional gun salute was held by volunteers, while Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) Women Wing members placed white shawls as a show of respect.

While most bodies were laid to rest with Christian rituals, a Messianic ritual was performed on 3 victims, and a Jewish ritual was performed on one victim who followed Judaism.