12 Kuki-Zo tribals finally laid to rest; 10 killed in alleged gunfight with CRPF

Guwahati: Twelve Kuki-Zo tribals, including the ten killed in an alleged encounter with CRPF in Manipur's Jiribam district on November 11, were laid to rest in Churachandpur on Thursday.

Coinciding with the day-long funeral programme, a total shutdown was observed in the area. Thousands of people joined a march and attended the ceremony. Mizoram chief minister's adviser (technical) H Ginzalala and Young Mizo Association leaders also attended the mass burial.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum in a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah demanded a judicial probe into the killing of 10 youths.


The organisation reiterated its demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community under the Indian Constitution in Manipur, where ethnic violence since last May has claimed over 250 lives.

"The latest round of violence, which started with the burning of Zairawn village in Jiribam district and the horrific murder of a 31-year-old tribal woman, has resulted in the deaths of 13 Kuki-Zo people," said the ITLF letter.