Manipur High Court Directs Status Quo Amid Ethnic Clashes, ITLF Agrees to Delay Mass Burial

In the wake of the ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities in the state's Boljang village, the Manipur High Court issued a directive for "status quo ante" at the proposed burial site. 

The court further urged the central and state governments and other involved parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a conglomerate of Kuki groups, had planned to hold a mass burial to honor the 35 Kuki individuals who lost their lives in the clashes. However, the Union home ministry requested a postponement, citing security concerns in certain parts of the state. Consequently, the burial was deferred until the following week.

Ginza Vualzong, a spokesperson for ITLF, revealed that they had a late-night meeting that extended until 4 am on Thursday, during which the ministry asked them to delay the burial for five days. In return, the church assured that the burial would be permitted at the exact location, with the land legally designated for the purpose.

However, the postponement decision garnered criticism from Meitei groups, who argued that the proposed mass burial would only further ignite people's sentiments.

ITLF set forth five demands, seeking written assurance from the authorities:

1. They demanded that Meitei state security forces refrain from being deployed in the hill districts inhabited by the Kuki community.

2. They sought the legalization of the identified burial site.

3. ITLF requested the return of the bodies of the deceased Kuki individuals currently held at two hospitals in Imphal.

Beyond these demands, the conglomerate demanded "total separation from Manipur," as well as the transfer of tribal jail inmates currently incarcerated in prisons within Imphal to other states.

In response to the requests, the Manipur High Court's intervention aims to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the situation, hoping to prevent further escalation of violence and foster an amicable settlement among the involved parties. As the situation develops, the administration and various groups will continue their discussions to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

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