Thousands Join 35-km Coffin Rally as Slain Loibol Villagers Laid to Rest; CoTU Seeks Urgent Central Intervention

Thousands of mourners on Saturday joined a solemn 35-kilometre coffin rally from Kangpokpi District Headquarters to the Martyrs' Cemetery at Phaijang, where three innocent villagers killed in the recent Loibol attack were laid to rest amid emotional scenes, a district-wide shutdown, and renewed demands for justice and stronger 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. Their deaths have triggered widespread outrage and grief across Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

In funeral processions, thousands accompanied the coffins as they were transported from Kangpokpi District Hospital to Phaijang.

With a total shutdown observed across the district, normal life came to a standstill as people united in grief and solidarity. The message from the mourners was loud and clear: the bloodshed must stop, justice must prevail, and the Government of India must act decisively to protect innocent civilians and ensure accountability for those responsible.

Symbolically dressed in traditional attire, Kuki-Zo youths along with the community leaders received the bodies with the highest honours and carried the coffins shoulder-to-shoulder to the Martyrs' Cemetery, while mourners followed behind, raising slogans and paying their final respects.

Following a heartfelt condolence service, which included speeches by the victims' family members and leaders of various civil society organisations, including the President of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), traditional shawls were draped over the coffins as a mark of tribute and solidarity. The mortal remains of the three slain villagers were then laid to rest with heavy hearts following a ceremonial gun salute.

As the victims were finally laid to rest at Phaijang, community leaders described the coffin rally as a symbolic appeal to the conscience of the nation and the international community.

They said the procession sought to highlight what they perceive as continuing insecurity faced by civilians in the region and to press for justice, accountability and stronger protection measures for vulnerable communities.

On the sideline of the solemn burial ceremony, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the Kuki-Zo community had deliberately chosen restraint, dignity and faith despite repeated incidents of violence.

He said the funeral procession symbolised the community's commitment to peace and should not be mistaken for weakness.

"While others may seek attention through public agitations and grandstanding, the Kuki-Zo people have chosen the path of dignity, prayer and faith. We have received our murdered brethren with humility and honour," Kipgen said.

However, he alleged that the Loibol killings were part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting Kuki-Zo civilians and warned of attempts to provoke fresh ethnic tensions in the region.

According to Kipgen, the killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders on May 13, the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village, and the latest attack at Loibol reflected a disturbing trend that required urgent intervention from the authorities.

He claimed there appeared to be a coordinated effort to inflame ethnic sentiments and drag the region back towards the violence that marked the Kuki-Naga conflict of the 1990s.

"The Kuki-Zo community will not be drawn into retaliatory violence despite repeated provocations. Our people desire peace, but peace cannot survive without justice," he said.

The CoTU spokesperson also expressed concern over the security situation in vulnerable peripheral areas and questioned the continued detention of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians allegedly being held hostage in Senapati district.

Calling for immediate intervention by the Government of India, CoTU demanded decisive action against armed militant groups allegedly involved in recent attacks, speedy identification and prosecution of those responsible for the Loibol killings and the murder of the three church leaders, the safe release of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians being held hostage, and enhanced security deployment in vulnerable villages.

The organisation warned that unless adequate security measures were put in place, village volunteers would continue lawful preventive measures to safeguard civilians and settlements from future attacks.