CoTU decides to claim bodies lying in mortuaries
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, October 10 2023:
Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district has decided to claim the lifeless bodies of Kuki-Zo community lying at mortuaries in Imphal after lifting the almost two-month long economic blockade.
CoTU had on October 4 lifted the economic blockade along the national highways as it considered the political dialogue between Government of India and UPF/KNO progressed significantly.
A week after lifting the economic blockade, CoTU decided to claim Kuki-Zo's unclaimed bodies lying at mortuaries in Imphal for almost six months.
However, CoTU made it clear that the decision to claim the bodies is not in any way related to steps toward peace and normalcy initiative of the government.
"It is definitely another step taken to accelerate political solution under the political dialogue between the Government of India and UPF/KNO, CoTU media cell coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said and appreciated authorities for facilitating steps taken to bury the bodies of Kuki-Zo with dignity.
According to Ng Lun Kip-gen, a consultative meeting with famiies of all the victims from Kangpokpi district unanimously decided to bury the Kuki-Zo victims at the Martyr's Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district with highest dignity.
However, when the bodies shall be claimed and buried cannot be decided as of now, he said.
The CoTU leader appealed authorities not to take hasty decision to dispose any unidentified body and strongly called for ensuring a mechanism by which all unidentified bodies can be re-verified and claimed.
He also appealed authorities to ensure safe transportation of the bodies and urged civil society organisations in Imphal to allow hassle free transportation of bodies to their homes.