A Supreme Court-appointed committee, led by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal, has accused state NGOs in Manipur of obstructing the cremation of 88 bodies preserved in Imphal mortuaries. The committee's ground situation report, submitted after its initial field visit, revealed that 88 of the 94 unclaimed bodies in three mortuaries were identified. However, civil society organizations (CSOs) in the state were allegedly applying "tremendous pressure" on relatives to refrain from accepting the bodies.

Giving 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".

The committee expressed concern about the presence of elements with an interest in perpetuating tension between communities and hindering the restoration of peace and harmony in the state. The committee stated, "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 state government, considering relevant factors, identified nine locations for the cremation and burial of victims of ethnic violence, allowing the families 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 the restoration of normalcy," the report said.

On August 3, civil society organizations (CSOs) made an illegal attempt to conduct a mass burial at a government sericulture farm, leading to thousands of people marching to the site and causing a law-and-order situation. The central government had to intervene to postpone the event.

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, Churachandpur... This form of protest is a constant source of deep pain and agony for those who have lost their near and dear ones."

"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 to bring normalcy to their lives. This display of coffins is providing a never-ending instigation of angst and tension for Inhabitants of the district," it said.

The committee has urged the Supreme Court to instruct civil society organizations (CSOs) not to obstruct the acceptance of ex gratia and bodies by relatives for the performance of last rites. In case the bodies are not accepted within a specified time, authorities should be directed to conduct the last rites free of charge in accordance with the Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994.

Image source: ANI