'Martyrs' burial likely to be deferred, PTC's appeal taken heed of
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, November 24 2015: With barely six days ahead of the planned burial of the nine 'Tribal Martyrs,' the much talked about final rites is most likely to stand deferred as the joint consultative meeting of the tribal innpis/Council, philanthropic organisations and students' organisations at the KIC office here has acceded to the appeal by Paite Tribe Council for its deferment.

The joint meeting after considering the appeal made by the PTC GHQs said it deeply sympathises with the difficult situation faced by one of its brethren tribes, and expressed its resolve to maintain and strengthen its hard earned unity.

The meeting also took the 3 point resolutions in view of the prevailing situation, including to accede to the appeal made by PTC/CWC and to entrust PTC GHQs and its constituent units to work out a suitable date for the funeral of the 'nine martyrs' after extensive and due consultation among their members and convey its decision to the Joint Innpis.

They also expressed dismay over the arbitrary initiatives of some individuals and groups who protested the collective decision of the Innpis, JAC, JPO and Church leaders on the 14th and 15th November 2015 about the funeral of the 'martys' .

The demonstration at Delhi

The meeting while lauding the activities of the Manipur Tribal Forum, Delhi (MTFD), conveyed its displeasure over the unilateral decisions adopted by them with regard to their activities and approach on the present issue and advised these bodies to consult the Innpis/tribe councils and the general headquarters of their respective student bodies in future.

They have also resolved to request the JAC to initiate the process for restoring normal public life after November 30 in view of the prolonged sufferings and hardships faced by the general public and the uncertainty over the date of the funeral.

It may be noted here that the MTFD had soon after the decision to lay the 'martyrs' to rest was taken, raised their reservation over the decision on the ground that it will greatly impede their charted strategy to strengthen the people's movement.

Lobbying and apprising all tribal MPs about the present struggle in Manipur and the fight for justice for the nine unburied bodies, and their agitation for an immediate and long term political solution, to raise the cause of the Manipur tribals in the upcoming Parliament session; Coffin march/rally on November 30 and awaiting the action of National ST Commission etc are the some of the plans spelt out by the MTFD.

Soon opposition, as noted by the joint meeting today, to the decision for burying the martyrs swelled.

It initially was visible only in the social media but it soon gathered support from different quarters as some resorted to signature campaigns, while others took to rallies and petitions.

Besides the MTF Delhi, Manipur Tribal Forums/Union and Committee for Protection of Manipur Tribals Rights from other cities such as Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and also petitioned the JAC to still defer the funeral for the 'martyrs' .

Today's joint meeting's resolution where the innpis/councils acceded to the PTC plea for deferring the funeral date and entrusted them to make a final call was the eventual culmination of the crusade.

The PTC GHQs plea was said to have been made orally to other tribe leaders and what exactly was communicated remains a mystery as neither the PTC nor the joint meeting dwelt on it.

A group of women under the banner All Tribal Women's Union has also petitioned the JAC and the Innpis/Council in the midst of their meeting today to accept the MTFD's appeal for delaying the burial of the nine 'martyrs' in the absence of any specific accomplishments on the demands pertaining to the three Bills, or until and unless a clear cut position and arrangement for the tribals of Manipur is spelt out by the Central Government.