Manipur: Internet suspended, Section 144 clamped in Churachandpur after tension over burial ground name

'There are still chances of breach of peace due to the confrontation between the two groups of people… and the situation is still tense,' the district magistrate said in an order.

Guwahati: Authorities in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district in the conflict-hit Manipur clamped Section 144 of the IPC in the area and temporarily suspended mobile internet following tensions over naming of the mass burial site of those who died in the conflict.

The mass burial of 87 victims of violence in the northeastern state, belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, is scheduled on Wednesday (December 20). The burial of the bodies, which remained in the morgues since the clashes in May and June, would be done as per an order of the Supreme Court on November 28.

Sources said tension started at Churachandpur on Monday night after a group of youths objected to the decision to name the burial site as Kuki-Zo Martyrs' Cemetery. They reportedly wanted it to be named as Kuki-Zomi-Mizo-Hmar cemetery. Kukis, Zomis, Mizos and Hmars identify themselves as the Kuki-Zo community as they belong to the same ethnic roots.

Several persons were injured in the clash. The matter was, however, sorted after the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki organisation, intervened. As the incident triggered tenson and was condemned by many, Kuki Students' Organisation and Zomi Students' Federation issued a joint statement tendering an apology on behalf of the violent mob.

The ITLF on Tuesday said it was unanimously decided to name the burial site as Kuki-Zo Martyrs' Cemetery after "long and careful consideration" and dicussion with various tribal leaders in meetings in Aizawl, Noida and Churachandpur.

"Kuki Zo has been widely used as as our narratives with the government as well as other platforms since the violence started on May 3. Kuki Zo narrative is also used in other districts like Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Pherzawl, and in solidarity with our movement, it would be correct to use the same narrative in Lamka (Churachandpur) to show our unity," the ITLF said in a public appeal.

The ITLF has been spearheading the movement for a "separate administration" for the Kuki-Zo peeople in Manipur, in order to find a solution to the ongoing conflict.

The administration, however, clamped Section 144, prohibiting gathering of more than five persons in Churachandpur, fearing fresh tensions ahead of the mass burial. The restriction on the use of mobile internet, which was recently lifted, has also been reimposed for the next five days.

ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said the burial would be conducted at 2 pm on Wednesday at the Sekhen burial site near Tribal Martyr's Park in Churachandpur.

Manipur has remained tense as nearly 200 people have been killed while more than 60,000 others have been displaced due to the clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis since May.