Coffins lined up outside PM event's proposed site

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur this week, security forces and the state administration have banned the use of drones, are sprucing up helipads, and repairing roads. But they have hit a hurdle with the coffins.

- Prawesh Lama

Around half a dozen coffins (minus bodies, fortunately), have made a reappearance outside a ground in Churachandpur where the Prime Minister is scheduled to speak on Saturday. The coffins next to the so-called Wall of Remembrance first appeared in 2023 as homage to those who died in the ethic clashes; they were placed there by Kuki-Zo groups.

They were removed sometime in July or August, but made a reappearance on Sunday.

"They were removed about a month ago. Now they have appeared again on the road leading to the ground where the PM is set to meet people. Most influential civil society groups are opposed to the display of such coffins and have called for their removal but there are some groups who are insisting on keeping it," an official aware of the matter said, adding that talks are being held by the local district magistrate and security forces with different Kuki-Zo civil society groups to convince them to remove it.