Churachandpur- Thousands gathered in Churachandpur, Manipur on Thursday for the mass burial of 12 Kuki-Zo tribals, including ten killed in a November 11 exchange of fire with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The incident occurred in Manipur's Jiribam district.

The mass burial at the Sehken village cemetery was attended by prominent figures including Mizoram Chief Minister's Adviser, H Ginzalala, leaders from various tribal organizations, the Young Mizo Association, and Church leaders. The emotional ceremony included memorial speeches, floral tributes, and a gun salute by village volunteers. Thousands of men and women in black attire tearfully joined the burial as tribal areas shut down.

Before the burial, mourners paid their last respects at the Peace Ground in Tuibuong. The bodies of the 12 Kuki-Zo-Hmar youths were released from the hospital morgue and transported to their families according to leaders of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF).

This tragic incident follows a November 19 'coffin rally' in Churachandpur where thousands participated in a symbolic mourning procession carrying ten dummy coffins. The rally, organized by tribal organizations, aimed to honor the slain youths.

The Manipur Police stated that the ten individuals were killed in retaliatory fire by the CRPF after an alleged attack on the Jakuradhor village camp and police station. Two CRPF jawans were injured in the incident.

However, the ITLF, Kuki-Zo Council, and Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) maintain that the ten victims were Village Volunteers actively protecting the villagers.