1. Ceremonial burial for 87 Kuki community members in Kangpokpi, Manipur.
2. Scheduled at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, on December 20 at 11:00 AM.
3. Follows a period of ethnic violence leading to loss of life and displacement.
Imphal, Dec 20: A solemn ceremony is scheduled to occur in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, as the bodies of 87 Kuki community members will be ceremoniously laid to rest at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, around 11:00 AM on 20th December.
This event follows a period of ethnic violence that has rocked the state, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread displacement.
The unrest in Manipur was initiated on May 3rd with clashes between the Kuki and the predominant Hindu Meitei communities.
The violence stemmed from a dispute over affirmative action measures and was exacerbated by longstanding grievances of the marginalized Kuki people, who felt labeled as outsiders by the government.
The conflict destroyed 4,786 houses and the vandalism of 386 religious structures, displacing more than 70,000 people.
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In a poignant act of mourning and remembrance, the mass burial for the Kuki-Zo members, whose bodies were airlifted from Imphal morgues, will occur under the theme “You Sacrifice Your Today For Our Tomorrow” at Martyr’s Cemetery.
This ceremony serves as a significant moment for the Kukis to honor those who lost their lives in the eight-month-long conflict.
The Kangpokpi event is a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues contributing to such tragic outcomes.
It emphasizes the necessity for genuine reconciliation and the acknowledgment of the Kuki community’s rights and grievances to pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
