No decision on burying 'martyrs': JAC, JPO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 11 2016: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against 'anti-tribal Bills' has clarified that neither the JAC nor the JPO has taken any decision or given consent to bury the nine 'tribal martyrs' .

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Chura-chandpur town area against the backdrop of '24 hours general strike' called by various organisations of the district to allegedly oppose the decision to bury the nine bodies tomorrow.

In a statement, the JAC said that the decision to bury the nine 'tribal martyrs' was announced in a sitting convened by the UPF and KNO on Feb 9.There was no agenda put forth in the meeting for discussion nor were the JAC and JPO given any chance to voice their opinion.

The JAC reiterated that it, absolutely has no intention of taking any drastic decisions regarding the movement as well as the burial of the nine 'tribal martyrs' without consulting the public as they move forward in the people-driven movement.

At the same time, the Zomi Re-Unification Organisation (ZRO) today said that it could not agree to the proposed burial date fixed 'without any discussion' .

In a statement, the ZRO said that a joint meeting of UPF and KNO was held at Imphal on Feb 7.In the meeting, it was discussed and resolved that a consultative meeting with the JAC, JPO, Inpis and all stakeholders be called on Feb 9.The spirit of the meeting was that the people be consulted and their opinions be taken as to whether they are ready to give a decent burial to the 'martyrs' .

Accordingly, a joint meeting was held at KKL complex on Feb 9, it said.

In the meeting, there was no discussion and opinions of other stake-holders were not heard.

"PS Haokip, president of KNO suddenly fixed and dictated the date for the burial ceremony of our martyrs," it said while adding, "the ZRO cannot and would not accept such dictation" .

"The ZRO wants that there shall be mutual consensus to hold the last rites of our martyrs," it said.

The 24 hours general strike is reportedly called by Facebook, WhatsApp groups and students to protest the decision to bury the nine 'martyrs' .

District Magistrate of Ccpur has, in an order issued today, detailed magisterial duty to five executive magistrates to maintain law and order in connection with the '24 hours general strike' to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the general strike.

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