In a fresh development, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills has decided to claim the identified dead bodies of the Kuki-Zo people lying at the mortuary in Imphal as well after lifting the almost two-month long economic blockade.
CoTU had on October 4 lifted the almost two-month long Economic Blockade along the two important National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) and No.37 (Imphal - Jiribam road) as it considered the political dialogue between Government of India and UPF and KNO has reached an advanced stage.
A week after lifting the economic blockade, CoTU has now decided to claim the identified dead bodies of the Kuki-Zo people lying at the mortuary in Imphal for almost six months.
However, CoTU made it very clear that the decision to claim the dead bodies is not in any way related or a step towards the peace and normalcy initiative of the government.
Speaking to the media, CoTU Media Cell Coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said that they appreciate the concerned authorities for facilitating the dead bodies of Kuki-Zo to be finally buried with dignity in their homeland.
He continued that they had a consultative meeting with all the victim families from Kangpokpi district in the presence of the district authorities and unanimously decided to give their loved ones the highest dignity in the place of rest at the Martyr's Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district.
However, Ng Lun Kipgen said that at the moment they cannot say when the dead bodies will be taken or buried.
In case of any unidentified dead bodies, CoTU appealed to the concerned authorities not to take hasty decisions in disposing it off and urged them to ensure a mechanism by which all unidentified bodies can be re-verified and claimed.
CoTU also appealed to the concerned authorities to ensure safe transportation of the dead bodies and urged various civil society organizations based at Imphal to let the dead bodies be brought home and refrain from political mileage over the dead bodies.
