Churachandpur, Manipur: A somber ‘coffin rally’ was held today in Churachandpur district, Manipur, to mourn the tragic deaths of 10 Kuki-Zo youths who were killed in an alleged encounter with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jiribam district.
Hundreds of people, mostly clad in black, marched through the streets carrying mock coffins as a poignant tribute to the fallen youths. The bodies of the victims are still awaiting final rites as authorities conduct post-mortem examinations.
The Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), and Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) had issued a joint notice directing schools and colleges to send students from Class 10 onwards to participate in the rally.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki-Zo organization, has declared that the funerals will not be held until the post-mortem reports are handed over to the families.
The Manipur Police had earlier claimed that the 10 individuals were killed in a gunfight with security forces after they attacked a police station and a CRPF camp in Jiribam. However, the incident has sparked widespread protests and allegations of extrajudicial killings.
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed over 220 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023. The latest incident has further exacerbated tensions and raised concerns about the fragile peace in the region.