Home Minister Declines ITLF's Plead for Burial Of Kuki Bodies At Torbung Bangla
Asserts To Identify An Alternate Location In Consultation With DC Churachandpur
HY News
09 August, 2023 07:57 pm IST
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Union Home Minister, on Wednesday, told the delegation of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) not to carry out the burial program at the land of the Industry department at Sericulture Farm in Torbung Bangla as pleaded earlier by the delegation. The Home Mister, instead, said the proposed land area will be utilized only for a common public purpose in consultation with ITLF and other stakeholders.
The Home Minister said the above statement during a follow-up meeting with the ITLF delegation in New Delhi on Wednesday. Speaking further on the matter, the Home Minister told the delegation not to insist on carrying out the burial function at the same venue, which falls within the conflict zone. The Minister also told the delegation to identify an alternative location in consultation with DC Churachandpur and perform the burial at the earliest.
The delegation of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) met Union Home Minister on Wednesday in New Delhi. The meeting was held as a follow-up to the appeal issued by the Government of India on August 3, 2023, to amicably resolve the issue of the burial of the mortal remains of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur.
Meanwhile, taking note of the apprehension of the residents of the Hills on their safety and security, the Home Minister assured that the deployment of the central forces in the state will be strengthened and reoriented to plug vulnerable gap areas. He furthered that the state forces will operate under the direction of the State Security Advisor in conjunction with the Central Forces in the Hill Areas.
Further, the Home Minister assured that necessary arrangements would be taken up to identify the bodies of the victims lying in Imphal and transport them back to their respective hometowns for the last rite.
The government of India also assured the facility of helicopter services for the residents of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Moreh areas to their preferred destinations. Considering the difficulties being faced by the student community of the Hill Areas, necessary steps will be taken to allow students to enroll in colleges in Hill areas, transfer to universities outside the state, and open student facilitation centres of Manipur University in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
Assuring further that the condition of the prison inmates will be monitored regularly, GOI also assured that a Separate Office of the Justice Lamba Inquiry Commission will be set up in Churachandpur with immediate effect. GOI also urged the cooperation and support of ITLF and the Kuki-Zo Community in early disposal of the mortal remains of the victims of ethnic violence. Goi also talked of the construction of pre-fabricated houses for internally displaced persons and restoration of peace in the state and resolve the long term issues of the community expeditiously.
Earlier, on 3rd August, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) declared to bury the deceased members of the Kuki-Zo community at the Sericulture farm at Torbung Bangla of Bishnupur District. hundreds of women rushed toward Torbung Bangla side. Following the announcement, hundreds of Meitei women took to the street to stop the burial attempt, and scores of women got injured when combined teams of central forces, particularly the Rapid Action Forces, fired heavy Tear gas shells upon the agitating women at Phougakchao Ikhai Mayai Leikai the same. Several women also got electric shock in the act.
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