Imphal, October 31 — The Manipur government has agreed to provide ex-gratia compensation to the next of kin of 32 Kuki-Zo civilians killed in violence attributed to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community in the state, said on Saturday, news agency IANS reported.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

A senior KZC leader said an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh is expected to be provided to each bereaved family. According to the council's statement, its leaders met government representatives at the District Magistrate's office in Churachandpur to discuss the concerns and demands raised by the council, and the agreement followed extensive deliberations.

Rs 10 lakhexpected ex-gratia for each bereaved family, per KZC
32Kuki-Zo civilians whose kin are to receive compensation
7 daysexpected timeline for payment and body transportation, per KZC

The government also agreed to take responsibility for transporting the bodies of all the deceased to their respective villages for the final rites, The Hills Journal reported, citing the KZC statement. According to the council, eight bodies are currently lying in the morgue of Churachandpur District Hospital for a prolonged period, while some others have already been buried due to unavoidable circumstances.

Source: The Hills Journal

Both arrangements — payment of the compensation and transportation of the bodies — are expected to be completed within seven days, the statement said. The council said the decision reflects the need to honour the memory of the deceased and extend support to their bereaved families.

The KZC also raised other issues and demands concerning the security, welfare and political aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people at the meeting, and said it would continue to pursue these matters with the government until meaningful outcomes are achieved. The attribution of the killings to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K is the council's, as reported by IANS and The Hills Journal.