Agenda to turn Torbung to a graveyard of slain Kuki militants strongly opposed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Moirang, August 02 2023: Even as Kukis have started preparing the ground for converting a Meitei settlement at Torbung Bangla to a graveyard, displaced Meitei locals and several organisations have urged the Government for immediate actions.

The attempt to convert the area in Torbung Bangla to a cemetery will be treated as an invitation for war, said the displaced people of Torbung.

They have asked the Government to evict Kuki militants who are illegally occupying Meitei settlements in several areas of Torbung Gram Panchayat by tomorrow (August 3) .

Meanwhile, a large number of Kukis including armed militants were seen at the Sericulture Department's Technical Service Centre and Mulberry Farm area preparing the site for their planned cemetery for burying bodies of dead Kukis.

Agenda to turn Torbung to a graveyard of slain Kuki militants strongly opposed

Sources said they erected several tents and evicted burnt Meitei houses and levelled the ground.

However, they didn't start digging the ground for burial today.

Significantly, there was a large presence of Central security forces in the vicinity when the preparation was going on.

It may be noted that several Meiteis houses stood there till May 3 until burnt by the Kuki militants.

Areas under Torbung Gram Panchayat's Ward No 1 to 5 are currently under the control of the Kuki militants.

While the Kuki militants under SoO are supposed to be stationed within the jurisdiction of their designated camps with their arms locked and under strict monitoring by the Government of India, far from their camps, groups of well armed militants have installed bunkers and even raised flag at Torbung's Meitei settlements.

The plan to convert the area in Torbung Bangla into a graveyard has been received by the Meiteis as the most profound and dangerous provocation by the Kuki militants.

At Manipur Press Club, Imphal today, Social Welfare Club Torbung Bangla advisor Loitongbam Surchandra said bodies of Kuki militants shouldn't be allowed to be buried in the Meitei settlement area.

The bodies of the narco-terrorists shouldn't be allowed to be buried in areas under the jurisdiction of Torbung Gram Panchayat--Torbung Bangla, Waikhurok, Torbung Govindpur, Torbung Bazar, Torbung Sabal Leikai, Kangvai, Phougakchao Ikhai and Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai, he said.

Such an attempt to bury the bodies at Meitei settlement area will be treated as an invitation for war, he said, asking if the Government has given its permission to allow the burial or taken action against it.

The May 3 violence first started at Torbung Gram Panchayat area with Kukis burning and looting Meitei houses.

Continuous attacks by the Kuki militants have injured and killed many innocent Meeteis.

The Government must evict all Kuki militants who are occupying Meitei settlements in Torbung GP by tomorrow (August 3) .

From August 4, people will start returning to their original homes/places.

The Government must be held responsible for any eventualities that follow, he said.

Babita, a displaced woman from Torbung Bangla, said the people of the area cannot agree to the Kukis turning Torbung Bangla and other Meitei settlement areas into a cemetery by burying the bodies of the dead Kuki militants.

Any attempt to convert Meitei settlement into a cemetery will only add fuel to the fire.

Such an attempt, if not objected to and thwarted by the Government, will further hurt the sentiments of the Meiteis, she said.

Meanwhile, several organisations and local clubs have also urged the Government to take up immediate actions to forbid the Kukis from converting the area under Torbung Bangla into a cemetery for the Kuki narco-terrorists.

Historical Heritage Development Organisation president K Mahendra said Torbung Bangla is an important and historically sacred place close to Moirang Kangleirol.

Kukis shouldn't be allowed to convert the sacred place on the foothills of the Thanjing into a graveyard, he said.

On the other hand, the organisation has no objection to the Kukis developing the cemetery at some other place, he added.

Unified Peace Coordinating Committee Kumbi (UPCC), other organisations and former Chief Secretary, Oinam Nabakishore too have expressed strong objection to the attempt and appealed to the Government to take up appropriate actions.