Manipur govt, tribal groups agree to bury eight bodies after 600 days

The eight were killed on August 31 and September 1 in 2015 after the state assembly cleared three land bills that were termed anti-tribal.

The bodies of eight boys and men killed in police firing 600 days ago will be buried following an agreement between the BJP-led coalition government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of several tribal groups.

The Manipur government and a JAC of tribal groups agreed to bury the 8 people who were in the morgue. (Representative image)

The eight were killed on August 31 and September 1 in 2015 after the state assembly cleared three land bills that were termed anti-tribal. Another body, that of a 11-year-old boy, was allegedly stolen and buried a month before the assembly election in March.

The office of Manipur chief minister N Biren said representatives of the government and JAC reached an agreement in Churachandpur town, where the bodies have been kept in a morgue

BJP leader Ram Madhav tweeted: “Another good news from Manipur. Agreement reached btw govt n civil society in CCPur. 8 Dead bodies 2 b buried, ending 600 day stalemate”

JAC’s chief convenor H Hmangchinkhup confirmed the agreement but did not specify when the bodies would be buried.