Amid heightened security measures, a total of sixty-four deceased individuals, representing the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, were airlifted from morgues in Churachandpur and Imphal on Thursday, concluding seven months since the onset of ethnic clashes in the northeastern state on May 3.
The bodies, previously in a state of limbo at the morgues in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, and RIMS, were transported to their respective districts in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Imphal after proper identification.
Government officials reported that a total of nineteen bodies underwent airlifting in two round trips at Motbung in Kangpokpi district. They were subsequently handed over to members of the Committee on Tribal Unity, representing the victims' families. A mass burial ceremony is scheduled to take place at Phaijang village, situated 20 kilometers from Kangpokpi district headquarters, on December 15.
Additionally, forty-one bodies were airlifted and conveyed to the Assam Rifles helipad in Churachandpur, accomplished through four trips. The last rites for four deceased members of the Meitei community will be performed by their families at their respective locations.
For the unidentified bodies, the court had granted permission to the state to conduct burial or cremation with due observance of religious rites.
Laldawnlien Varte, Convenor of joint philanthropic organizations in Churachandpur, stated, "A compensation will be worked out after sitting with ITLF, JPO, and other leaders."
The Supreme Court's directives facilitated the movement of bodies to ensure the victims received a proper burial. In a coordinated effort between the Centre and the state, the bodies were transported from the morgue early Thursday morning under the heavy security cover of central forces.
