Altogether 87 Kuki-Zo people killed in the ongoing Manipur conflict were given a mass burial in Churachandpur on Wednesday amid heavy security, prohibitory orders and tradition, providing “some closure” to the affected families after months of wait.

The youngest victim to be buried at the Kuki-Zo Martyrs Cemetery at Sehken near Churachandpur town was a one-month-old and the oldest an 87-year-old, both killed in the first wave of violence in May.

Thousands came to pay tributes to the victims of the violence from in and around Churachandpur district, first at a condolence meeting held at the Peace Ground where 87 dummy coffins were placed and where speakers pledged to push the demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people with “renewed vigour as living with the Meiteis was impossible after what has happened in May”.

The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo people which erupted on May 3 has till date left at least 194 dead and over 67,000 displaced.

While the condolence meeting was underway, the bodies were transported in 36 trucks provided by Assam Rifles to the burial ground for the last rites.

There were huge traffic jams at several places and people paid floral tributes on the way to the burial ground, Churachandpur residents said, adding that Kuki-Zo people placed traditional shawls and flags in front of their residences while non-Kuki-Zos also placed black flags to mourn the dead.

The district administration had on Monday night imposed CrPC Section 144 for two months to prevent any untoward incident following a brawl between two tribal student groups.

Sources said prohibitory orders were not lifted on Wednesday and there was deployment of heavy security, but mourners came out in large numbers because civil society organisations had “assured” the district administration that events related to the mass burial would “pass off smoothly”, and it did as assured.

Going by tradition, members of the various Kuki-Zo tribes dug a grave each for the “87 martyrs” instead of using machines like the JCB which was offered by local contractors, residents said.

A Church member said young men used spades and shovels to dig the graves. The district administration “in collaboration” with civil society organisations improved the approach road to the burial site.

An 87-gun salute was also given to the deceased by the organisers “since they died a martyr”.

Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) general secretary Muan Tombing told The Telegraph on Wednesday evening after the end of a hectic day that there was a sense of relief after the mass burial.

“ It is a huge relief for all of us. The affected families can be at peace and there will be some kind of closure for them. Till the body is not buried, there are a lot of restrictions on bereaved families,” he said.

Newly elected Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma posted his condolence on X late on Wednesday evening, referring to the deceased as "martyrs". “Finally, the solemn ceremony for our 87 brothers and sisters took place today at Sehken village, Churachandpur district. May the souls of our Kuki-Zo martyrs rest in peace. #Remembrance #ManipurViolence #Martyrs.”