Goa, Sept. 6 -- The University of Oxford Council has approved the repatriation of 39 Naga ancestral human remains held at the Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) in the United Kingdom, marking a significant step towards returning remains taken during the colonial era to their homeland.

PRM Director Laura Van Broekhoven informed Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convener Wati Aier that the University Council formally approved the return of the 39 remains on July 13. The Council, however, declined the repatriation of one set as there was insufficient evidence to establish that it was of Naga origin.

The repatriation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The initiative has been pursued by the FNR and its Recover, Restore and Decolonise (R...