Manipur: Thousands join 35 km coffin rally as slain Loibol villagers laid to rest, CoTU seeks urgent Central intervention

Thousands of mourners on Saturday, June 6 participated in a solemn 35-kilometre coffin rally from the Kangpokpi District Headquarters to the Martyrs' Cemetery at Phaijang, where three villagers killed in the recent attack at Loibol were laid to rest amid emotional scenes, a district-wide shutdown and renewed demands for justice and enhanced security measures.

The victims, including a young couple and another man whose wife is expecting a child, were killed in a pre-dawn attack at Loibol village on June 5. The incident has triggered widespread grief and concern across Kuki inhabited areas.

The funeral procession began with the transportation of the bodies from Kangpokpi District Hospital to Phaijang. Thousands of people accompanied the coffins throughout the route, paying their final respects to the deceased.

A total shutdown was observed across Kangpokpi district during the funeral, bringing normal activities to a standstill as residents expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. Participants in the procession called for an end to violence, justice for the victims and stronger measures to protect civilians in the region.

Members of the Kuki community, dressed in traditional attire, along with community leaders, received the bodies with ceremonial honours and carried the coffins to the Martyrs' Cemetery. Mourners followed the procession, offering tributes and expressing their condolences.

A condolence service was held before the burial, during which family members of the victims and representatives of various civil society organisations addressed the gathering. Leaders, including the President of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), paid tribute to the deceased. Traditional shawls were draped over the coffins as a mark of respect and solidarity before the mortal remains were laid to rest following a ceremonial gun salute.

Community leaders described the coffin rally as a symbolic appeal for justice and security, stating that it reflected concerns over the safety of civilians in the region and the need for accountability in cases of violence.

Speaking on the sidelines of the burial ceremony, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the Kuki community had continued to exercise restraint despite repeated incidents of violence.

He stated that the funeral procession reflected the community’s commitment to peace and dignity and should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Kipgen alleged that the Loibol killings formed part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting Kuki civilians. He also referred to the killing of three Kuki church leaders on May 13 and the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village, claiming that these incidents pointed to a troubling security situation requiring immediate attention from the authorities.

He further alleged that there were attempts to reignite ethnic tensions in the region and maintained that the community would not resort to retaliatory violence despite repeated provocations.

According to CoTU, concerns also remain over the security of vulnerable peripheral villages and the continued detention of 14 Kuki civilians allegedly being held hostage in Senapati district.

The organisation called upon the Government of India to take immediate action against armed groups allegedly involved in recent attacks, ensure the speedy identification and prosecution of those responsible for the Loibol killings and the murder of the three church leaders, secure the safe release of the 14 civilians, and strengthen security deployment in vulnerable areas.

CoTU further stated that unless adequate security arrangements were put in place, village volunteers would continue lawful preventive measures aimed at protecting civilians and settlements from future attacks.