INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: In its ground situation report on the ethnic conflicts in Manipur, the Supreme Court-appointed committee has accused state NGOs
of preventing cremation of 88 bodies preserved in Imphal mortuaries, obstructing acceptance of ex gratia by kin, and attempting to keep the
ethnic cauldron boiling.In its report filed in the SC after its first field visit, the committee, headed by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Justice Gita Mittal, said 88 of the 94 unclaimed bodies preserved in three mortuaries had been identified but civil society organisations
(CSOs) active in the state were "exerting tremendous pressure" on relatives not to accept the bodies.The kin were willing to perform the
last rites, it added.Manipur's Kangpokpi comes to a halt: 48-Hour shutdown begins after 2 killed in ambush, affects normal lifeGiving
examples of kin ready to accept bodies for last rites, the committee said "some CSOs are opposing and obstructing the performance of last
rites by relatives on account of vested interests, and even in order to derive mileage and to compel authorities to meet unwarranted
demands"."Apprehension was also expressed that there are elements interested in maintaining tension between communities and preventing
restoration of peace and harmony in the state
For this reason, true and correct facts of the matter are also not being placed before the Supreme Court (by some of the petitioner NGOs),"
the committee said.6 Months of Manipur Violence: Curfew reimposed in Imphal after mob tries to loot armsIt said that the state government,
keeping in mind relevant factors, had identified nine places for cremation and burial of the victims of the ethnic violence and allowed the
kin to choose any of them
"Unfortunately, the CSOs are insisting on mass burials at unsuitable spots, which will serve as a source for constant mounting of tension
between communities in Manipur and prevent restoration of normalcy," the report said.Manipur Breaking: Tensions grip Imphal valley after an
armed mob kidnaps 5 Kukis, one escapesOn August 3, the CSOs attempted to illegally perform a mass burial at a government sericulture farm,
resulting in thousands of people marching to the site, thus creating a law-and-order situation
Only with the intervention of the central government the event was postponed, it said.Narrating a distressing method of protest employed by
CSOs, the committee said, "A row of about 50 coffins has been placed right opposite the entrance of the office of the deputy commissioner,
This form of protest is a constant source of deep pain and agony for those who have lost their near and dear ones."Manipur: Woman's body
with bullet wound on her head found in Imphal West"At the same time, it is extremely demoralizing for state government officials who have
been rendering round the clock unstinted service to the displaced populations and making every possible effort for bringing normalcy to
This display of coffins is providing a never-ending instigation of angst and tension for inhabitants of the district," it said.The committee
requested the SC to direct CSOs not to interfere in the acceptance of ex gratia and bodies by relatives for performance of last rites
It said if the bodies were not accepted by relatives within a specified time, the authorities must be directed to carry out the last rites
free of charge as per the Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994.Manipur: Imphal Airport on high alert after CISF personnel spotted unidentified
