CoTU decides to claim dead bodies
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, October 10 2023: In a big development amidst the ongoing unrest in Manipur, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District has decided to claim the mortal remains of the Kuki people lying at the mortuaries in Imphal.

Earlier, CoTU had lifted the almost two-month long economic blockade along the two important National Highways (Imphal-Dimapur road and Imphal-Jiribam road) on October 4 as it considered the political dialogue between the Government of India and UPF and KNO to have reached an advanced stage.

A week after lifting the economic blockade, CoTU has now decided to claim the bodies of Kuki people lying at the mortuaries in Imphal for nearly six months.

CoTU, however, said that the decision to claim the bodies is not in any way related to the peace initiative taken up by the Government.

Speaking to the media, CoTU's media cell coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen, flanked by the Committee's general secretary Lamminlun Singsit said that they would like to thank the authorities at the Centre for facilitating the dead bodies of Kuki people to be finally buried with dignity in 'our homeland' .

Saying that they held a consultative meeting with all the victim's families from Kangpokpi district in the presence of the district authorities and had unanimously decided to give their loved ones the highest dignity by laying them to rest at Martyr's Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district, Lun Kipgen said that they, as of yet, cannot announce when the bodies will be claimed and buried.

In case of unidentified bodies, CoTU appealed to all concerned not to take hasty decisions to dispose of the bodies but re-verify them (the bodies) .

CoTU also appealed to relevant authorities to ensure safe transportation of the dead bodies.

He also urged all civil society organizations based in Imphal to let the dead bodies be brought home.

Lun Kipgen further said that the decision to claim the dead bodies has nothing to do with the peace initiative or dialogue.

The Kuki people know that the Central Government is very much serious about the 'aged old political issue of Kuki people.

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