Multiple gunshots, mostly on back, killed10 Kuki youths in Jiribam: Autopsy reports

PTI, CHURACHANDPUR (MANIPUR), DECEMBER 2: The 10 Kuki-Zo youths who were killed in an alleged gunfight with the CRPF received multiple fatal bullet injuries, most of which were fired from behind, according to the post-mortem examination reports.

A detailed analysis of all 10 autopsy reports, available with PTI, shows no recorded torture marks on the bodies other than bullet injuries and the impact of such wounds. The deceased, including one minor, have been identified as Ramneilien (29), Fimlien Kung Ngurte (31), Elvis Lalropei Zote (21), Lalthanei (22), Joseph Lalditum (19), Francis Lalzarlien (25), Roulneisang (30), Lalsiemlien Hmar (30), Henry Lalsanglien (25), and Robert Lalnuntluong (16).

On November 11, the Manipur Police claimed that the 10 suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces after insurgents, wearing camouflage uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district.

The post-mortem reports noted that most of the deceased were dressed in camouflage or khaki uniforms when brought for autopsy at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam. Six bodies were brought to SMCH on November 12, while four arrived on November 14 in early stages of decomposition.

The approximate time of death for the bodies examined on November 12 was estimated at 24–36 hours prior, while for those arriving on November 14, it ranged from 72–96 hours before. In the case of Hmar, death was estimated to have occurred 48–72 hours before the autopsy on November 14.

All bodies bore multiple bullet entry and exit wounds, with some having more than a dozen marks. The bullets hit various parts of their bodies, from head to foot, and most shots were fired from behind, according to autopsy reports signed by different sets of three doctors. Additionally, one eye each was missing from the bodies of Ngurte, Lalzarlien, Hmar, and Lalsanglien.

The doctors deferred providing a definitive cause of death until chemical analysis reports of viscera from the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) in Guwahati are received.

The funeral for these 10 youths, along with two other Kuki-Zo men, is scheduled for December 5 in Manipur's Churachandpur district, according to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a leading Kuki-Zo community organization.

The ITLF had earlier refused to conduct the funerals until the post-mortem reports were handed over to the families. After the bodies were airlifted from Silchar to Churachandpur on November 16, they were kept in a local hospital morgue.

While the ITLF claims that the deceased were village volunteers, the Manipur government has asserted that they were militants.

Since May last year, ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced thousands. The unrest began after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to oppose the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur's population, residing mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up just over 40% and inhabit the hill districts.