Unburied for 28 Days: Manipur Tribals’ Coffin Protest Continues

Indefinite sit-in protest organised by the Manipur Tribals in Delhi at Jantar Mantar completed 28 days on Dec 1, 2015

Manipur Tribals’ Forum Delhi (MTFD) is organizing a mass coffin rally to the Parliament on the 9th of December 2015 (Photo: MTFD’S facebook page)

The ongoing indefinite sit-in protest organised by the Manipur Tribals Forum (MTFD), Delhi at Jantar Mantar completed 28 days on Monday. The families of the people killed by the security forces during the protest in Manipur have not cremated the bodies yet.

At least nine people were killed and several injured after violence erupted in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on August 31 over three bills passed in the Manipur assembly. Houses of Manipur’s health minister Phungzathang Tonsing and five other MLAs were set on fire during the protests.

The agitation started after the passing of Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reform Act (7th Amendment Bill 2015) that would make tribal areas, currently off limits to non-tribals, accessible to all. This would eventually lead to tribals like the Nagas and the Kukis losing their land.

CL Ruala, Congress MP Mizoram, Mr Majeed Memon, MP Rajya Sabha and Vijoo Krishnan, Joint secretary, All India Kisan Sabha and a CPI-M leader attended the protest on Sunday. The relay protest has been held every day since November 4, from 4pm to 8pm.

(Photo: MTFD’S facebook page)

MTFD earnestly calls out to every individual who believes in justice, peace and equality. Because enough is enough. We deserve to live in dignity and in tranquility in our own homes. We will fight together, for our brothers, sisters, our mothers and fathers, our children and our future.

J Maivio, co-convener of MTFD

(Photo: MTFD’S facebook page)

MTFD leaders said that the issue was also raised by Nagaland MP Mr Neiphiu Rio on Nov 25, 2015 at the NDA Allies Meet. He will be raising the issue again in the Parliament. Neiphiu Rio is the first MP to support the tribal movement and to join the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar.

The nine youths who lost their lives during the protest in Lamka after the passing of three Bills in Manipur Assembly on August 31 were Enkhankhup (20), Robert V Jamminthang (30), Khamsianmuan (22), Khaijamang Touthang (11), Henlalson (18), Pausuanlian (19), Thangzalian (30), H Paulianmang (23) and K Lamkhenthang (45).

Letter to Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur from National commission for schedule tribes