Nearly three months into the ethnic violence in Manipur, at least 53 dead bodies – mostly all belonging to the Kuki community – lie unclaimed at two district hospitals in Imphal East and West, sources at the state health department and district administrations told Newslaundry. Officials said three or four bodies of persons belonging to the Meitei community also remain unclaimed at a Churachandpur facility.
Most of the bodies, which are in a state of decay, are yet to be identified by the police. At JNIMS, seven bodies have been officially identified by the police. At RIMS, however, at least 26 bodies have been informally identified, through pictures and documents shared by relatives, the district administration officials said.
