Northeast Desk, 20th December: Scheduled for December 20, 2023, a solemn ceremony is poised to occur in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur, where 87 members of the Kuki community will be laid to rest. The funeral proceedings are set to unfold at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, commencing at approximately 11:00 AM.
This event follows a period of ethnic violence that has profoundly impacted the state, resulting in substantial loss of life and widespread displacement.
The unrest in Manipur initiated on May 3rd with clashes erupting between the Kuki and the predominant Hindu Meitei communities. The violence stemmed from a dispute over affirmative action measures and was further exacerbated by longstanding grievances of the marginalized Kuki people, who felt labeled as outsiders by the government.
The conflict witnessed the destruction of 4,786 houses and the vandalism of 386 religious structures, displacing more than 70,000 people.
In a poignant act of mourning and remembrance, a mass burial for the Kuki-Zo members, whose bodies were airlifted from Imphal morgues, is scheduled at Martyr’s Cemetery under the theme “You Sacrifice Your Today For Our Tomorrow.”
The Kuki community has endured eight tumultuous months since the outbreak of violence, and this ceremony signifies a crucial moment as they pay homage to those who lost their lives in the conflict.
The ceremony in Kangpokpi serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues contributing to such tragic outcomes, emphasizing the imperative for genuine reconciliation and the acknowledgment of the Kuki community’s rights and grievances to foster lasting peace in the region.
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