Tunkhopum's mortal remains laid to rest
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, June 25 2014: A week after mortal remains of Tunkhopum Baite, the erstwhile leader of Chin Liberation Army (CLA) was exhumed from a discreetly guarded secret site where the MNF had buried after killing him, the man who led one of the earliest revolutionary movements in the region was finally given honor and laid to rest at Panglian village, about 20 kms from here.

Reportedly killed on February 5, 1967 after spending days in captivity, Tunkhopum's body was secretly buried by MNF cadres near its Tuichhang camp.

Forty-seven-years after the incident, a handful of CLA's former cadres who are now in the greying years decided to find whatever remains they could get hold of their leader.

Accordingly, they formed a committee and after running from pillar to post for about a week or so, they found an MNF cadre, who divulged to them where Tunkhopum was buried and helped them exhume the mortal remains.

Vungthang, who led the former CLA cadres in the search for their leader said that the MNF man who was entrusted to guard their leader in captivity, identified as Zaihlira not only knows where their leader was buried but was willing to guide us as well.

"Most of the MNF men we have contacted denied knowing the grave, while others told us that they were not sure about the location anymore.

Zaihlira was different.

He claimed that the whole events were still very fresh in his mind", said Vungthang.

He said that the MNF man who guided them first showed them one location but after digging it they hit a boulder.

After this, he returned to a location where he claimed he was standing when the CLA commander was dragged, shot and buried, he said adding, "It was after this that he correctly located our leader's grave" .

The remains of Tunkhopum reached here early today from Singngat where it halted for a night.

A brief condolence meeting was held at Ngathal and then taken to Panglian village where his last rite was held and the remains buried formally with honour.

The President of ZRO Thanglianpau, ZRO's advisor Khaizasong Guite, other top leader from the armed group under SoO pact, hoards of social and tribe leaders, and elected members in the government including Vungzagin Valte, Parliamentary Secretary and Langkhanpau Guite, Chairman ADC Churachandpur have attended the ritual and paid tributes to the leader.

Some former CLA members however refused to attend their leaders last rite at Pangmual saying that they wanted his remains to be buried somewhere inside the town.

They also alleged that they wanted to take the leader's remain along major roads in town on a street procession but that opportunity they said was denied as well.

The Vaiphei Peoples' Council who took the onus of conducting the last-rite, and the Zomi apex body Zomi Council who entrusted the VPC, though appears to have other plans as it said the Panglian site has already been developed as his memorial site and will be better suited for future development.

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