Coordinating Committee On Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has stated that the so-called ITLF Kuki leaders should not play politics over the dead bodies, while vehemently opposing the plan for mass cremation of Kuki dead bodies at Torbung area on Thursday.
Every dead belonging to Meetei groups was cremated at their native villages; therefore, the ITLF Kuki people are expected to follow the same norms in performing the last rites of the dead, stated a release issued on Wednesday.
It asserted that encroaching over the state land is a violation of law and cremating altogether to newly create a mass grave at the evicted areas of Meetei villages will not only provoke sentiments of the people on both sides but also prolong enmity between the two neighboring villages.
It urged both the state and the Centre to act accordingly, considering the gravity of tension between the two sides and prevent further escalation of violence in the state. It further requested to check the identity of all the dead bodies before being cremated at their respective village as per the law and to confirm their citizenship.
COCOMI also appealed to both communities to restrain from confronting each other and let the state government deal with the matter as per the law of the land, it mentioned. It further warned the government to bear responsibility should any untoward incidents happen.
