Hundreds gathered in Churachandpur to bid a poignant farewell to 12 Kuki-Zo individuals, including 10 alleged village volunteers killed in a controversial gunfight. Amid demands for a judicial inquiry and calls for justice, the community mourned with gun salutes and heartfelt tributes, seeking solace and accountability.
Hundreds of Kuki-Zo community members gathered in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Thursday evening to mourn 12 individuals killed in Jiribam. Among the deceased were 10 Hmar villagers, reportedly killed in a confrontation with the CRPF, and a woman allegedly murdered by Meitei militants.
While Manipur Police claimed the 10 Hmar villagers were armed militants killed in retaliation for attacking security forces, Kuki-Zo organizations disputed this narrative, insisting they were unarmed village volunteers. Post-mortem reports, showing that the victims were shot from behind, further raised questions about the official account.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths and urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to establish a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people, citing concerns over their safety and dignity. The organization also criticized the CRPF’s role, questioning its neutrality and ethical conduct.
During the funeral, the atmosphere was somber as “village volunteers” honored the deceased with a gun salute before their burial at the Martyrs’ Cemetery. A delegation from Mizoram, including Young Mizo Association leaders and Ginzalal Hauzel, an advisor to Mizoram’s Chief Minister, attended the event. Traditional shawls were placed on the coffins as a mark of respect.
In a memorandum to Shah, the ITLF strongly contested the militant claims, stating that the deceased included a painter, a computer store owner, and several masons. “The post-mortem reports clearly show they were shot from the back, proving they were not engaged in a gunfight,” the memorandum said.
The ITLF alleged that the victims were likely ambushed or executed after capture, pointing to multiple bullet wounds and injuries such as missing eyes. “In light of these facts, we demand a judicial inquiry to ensure justice for the victims and their families,” the organization stated.
The group also blamed the latest violence on an attack by Meitei gunmen on Zairawn village in Jiribam, which led the volunteers to patrol the area—a role they argued should have been undertaken by the CRPF.
The ITLF reiterated its demand for a separate administration under the Indian Constitution to protect the Kuki-Zo people from further discrimination and subjugation, emphasizing that military-enforced peace cannot address the region’s deeply rooted issues.
