Lamka: 12 Martyrs Laid to Rest with Full Honours Amid Emotional Farewell and Rising Calls for Justice

The 12 martyrs who were killed by the CRPF and the Meitei militants were laid to rest today with full honours at the Martyrs' Cemetery in Sehken Village, Churachandpur.

Before the mass burial at the Martyrs' Cemetery, a condolence service for the 12 martyrs was held at Peace Ground, Tuibong, where people from various walks of life paid their last respects to all the fallen heroes. A one-minute silence was also observed during the condolence service as a mark of respect and honour to the martyrs.

Coinciding with the day-long funeral programme, a total shutdown was observed in the town to pay respect to the deceased, with thousands of people joining the march and attending the ceremony.

"The bodies of the village volunteers, which were taken from the morgue to their respective homes the previous evening, were brought to the funeral programme in the morning," said Ginza Vualzong, the spokesperson of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a key organization of the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.

A delegation from Mizoram, including Mizoram Chief Minister's Adviser and Central Young Mizo Association leaders, attended the event.

They showed their respect by placing traditional shawls over the coffins of the martyrs. Other tribal leaders also paid their homage by covering the coffins with customary traditional shawls.

Among the various high-profile attendees at the condolence service was H. Ginzalala, MLA and Advisor to the Mizoram CM, who echoed unity among Zo brethren. In a heartfelt speech, the advisor extended condolences to the martyrs' families on behalf of the Mizoram government. He also promised all possible assistance from the Mizoram government in the future for the Zo people of Manipur.

Rev. Dr. S. Vung Minthang, President of the Goodwill Council, offered condolence messages for the victim families. Afterward, the bodies of the martyrs were taken to the Martyrs' Cemetery in Sehken village, where they were finally laid to rest with full honours.

The entire funeral programme was divided into two sessions. The first began at 11 am at Peace Ground in Tuibong, where people from all spheres of society paid their respects. The second and final session took place at 2 pm at the Martyrs' Cemetery in Sehken, where the deceased were given a "gun salute by village volunteers," followed by the burial of the bodies. The families paid their last respects there.

The 12 men laid to rest were Elvis Lalropui (21), Joseph Lalditum (19), Lalthanel (22), Ruolnelsang (30), Fimlienkung (31), Lalsiemlien Hmar (30), Francis Lalzarlien (25), Ramnellien (31), Henry Lalsanglien (25), Robert Lalnuntloung (19), Haojoel Doungel (27), and Thangtinmang Khongsai (35).

All 12 bodies of Kuki-Zo youths were taken from the morgue on Wednesday afternoon and sent to their respective families for an overnight stay for the last time.

Among the 12 martyrs buried today, Haojoel Doungel was allegedly killed by Meitei militants on November 17 when he ventured out to seek financial assistance for his pregnant wife. He was waylaid, abducted by militants, and later killed, while Thangtinmang Khongsai sustained serious bullet injuries. He was treated at Aizawl Civil Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The remaining 10 were mercilessly killed by CRPF personnel on November 11.

The ITLF had earlier decided that the funeral of the Kuki-Zo youths would not be conducted until their post-mortem reports were handed over to the families.

After the bodies were airlifted from Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam to Churachandpur on November 16, they were kept in the Churachandpur District Hospital morgue until now.

Autopsy reports from Silchar Medical College and Hospital, located in the neighboring state of Assam, revealed that each of the deceased sustained multiple gunshot wounds from behind. This pattern of injury indicates that the young men were either fleeing or not directly engaging at the time they were fatally shot.

According to the reports, the bullets struck the young men from head to foot, hitting them all over their bodies. If the young men were possibly fleeing or, at least, were not in a position to actively fire at the time, it raises questions about why the security forces needed to fire so many rounds with apparent lethal intent.

Further, the reports noted that one eye was missing from the bodies of four of the deceased.

For instance, the autopsy report of Fimlien Kung Ngurte states: “The deceased is found wearing a camouflage full shirt, T-shirt, long pants, black shawl, briefs, socks, and boots. The build is average, complexion swarthy. Right eye missing, left eye closed, and mouth partially open. Blood stains are present on the face and body at various places. Blood is oozing from the left ear. The body is cold to the touch. Post-mortem hypostasis is present and fixed over the back. Rigor mortis (the stiffening of the muscles) is partially present over the lower limbs only.”

This suggests the eyes were gouged out after the four men had been killed. One must wonder what could motivate such a desecration of the bodies other than hate. Were the bodies not under the custody of CRPF personnel? Mutilation of bodies is a violation of international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit outrages upon personal dignity, particularly humiliating and degrading treatment.

All CRPF personnel undergo training in human rights, adhering to international standards both during their initial training and repeatedly after joining their battalions. They are also expected to follow the guidelines set by the National Human Rights Commission, the source added.