Discord in February 13 Burial Date; Churachandpur may Burn Again

New Delhi: When the decision to bury nine dead bodies still lying in a Churachandpur hospital was taken on Tuesday during a meeting convened by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) at Churachandpur and attended by the JAC against anti-tribal bills and Zomi Re-Unification Orgainization, the Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi (MTFD) through a press release has reiterated its stand of a dignified burial. However, MTFD has also made it clear that the sacrifices of the nine people who died while pretesting against the promulgation of those "anti-tribal bills" should not go in vein. The press release dated February 10 states that the forum is in touch with central government and several MPs and has been pushing for a discussion on this issue on the coming session of the parliament.

While protesting in Janatar Mantar incessantly for more 100 days, the forum has also pressed for a high level enquiry of the killing. It has also demanded sixth scheduled status for the tribal areas of Manipur.

Moreover, the bills as of now are with the central government and the centre is yet to give its assent in the said bills. In such circumstances, the forum says the decision to put the martyrs in rest should be in the collective interest of all the tribals of Manipur.
On the other hand, the Zomi Re-Unification Organization which also attended the February 9 meeting is opposing the February 13 burial tooth and nail. In a press release dated February 11, it says on February 9 meeting the opinions of other stakeholders were not heard. It further says, PS Haokip of KNO suddenly fixed and dictated the burial date of the martyrs. ZRO wants a mutual consensus on burial dates and as for now ZRO in disagreement with proposed date.

-NET Bureau