87 Kuki-Zo Bodies Laid To Rest Peacefully With Full Honour

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 Park 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 Park. State and Central security forces were stationed at different locations from Tuibong to the Kuki-Zo Martyrs Park to avoid any untoward incident.

The road stretching from Peace ground to the Martyrs park 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 were conducted successfully as per the religious rituals of different denominations.

Later, the families were also given enough time to perform necessary procedures in the grave. MLAs and CSO leaders were also given time to do the needful for the martyrs.