The Manipur High Court on Thursday directed that the status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district where the Kuki-Zo community had planned a burial service for 35 people who were killed in the ethnic violence.
The HC order was passed by Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidharan after a hearing at 6 am, PTI news agency reported.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), an organisation of the Kuki-Zo community, said that they have agreed to conditionally postpone the burial for five days after requests from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.
“We had a marathon meeting last night till 4 am due to a new development. The MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) requested us to delay the burial for five more days and that if we comply with that request, we will be allowed to bury in the same location and the government will legalise the land for the burial. The Mizoram CM had also made a similar request,” the ITLF said.
“After long deliberation with various stakeholders late in the night, we have come to a conclusion that we will consider the request of the MHA provided they give us a written assurance on five demands,” it said.
More than 160 people, mostly Kukis, lost their lives and several hundred were injured since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3.
