September 13 is observed as Black Day by the Kukis
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Romans 12:19

Vunghauniang Zou *

It is that time of the year again. September has regrettably become not only a month but a name which brings back memories of deep anguish. It is September 11 for the Americans; for the Kukis it is September 13. Years have passed and life has moved on, but this thing called memory has remained constant.

'Forgive and forget' is a phrase which is easier said than done. Forgive, we can. Forget, we cannot. Forgive, because the Divine one has forgiven us first. But forget? Memory is a precious and valued gift of the Creator. How it is utilised is a different matter. What we have at hand now is a choice – a choice whether to make good or bad of the freewill we have been divinely blessed with.

The Tribute in Light is a memorial project of the 9/11 attack which consists of 88 searchlights placed next to the site of the World Trade Centre, creating two vertical columns of light. The tribute began in 2002, and is now made every year on September 11. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the WTC site are planned, as part of the design by overall WTC site redevelopment. There are many more such memorials in other states of the U.S.

The Japanese observe August 6 as Hiroshima Day by holding the Peace Memorial Ceremony to remember the 1,40,000 people who died after the atomic bomb was dropped. It aims to bring about world peace and ban nuclear weapons. At exactly 8:15 am the Peace Bell is rung. This is the time the atomic bomb was dropped. People all over the city stand in silence for one minute.

September 13 is observed as Black Day by the Kukis. The incident that took place on this day at Joupi village in Tamenglong district in the year 1993 is too gruesome to be explicitly written about. And this article is not for that purpose either. What is wished to be reiterated through this article is that the innocent bloods that have been shed are too precious to just let it be and fade away from our memories with time.

We cannot bring them back to life, but we can give life and meaning to their death. For those who have been the victim and survivors of the strategic cleansing, what have we learned from it? Have we learned how to lead a more meaningful life each day because life could end just like that? Have we learned how to value and be thankful for our family, friends, and neighbours because one fine day could be the end for them? Have we learned to organise and strengthen ourselves in such a way that we are looked at with respect and not with contempt anymore?

Most importantly, have we learned to seek God and live in accordance with His will because each one of us will have to give account of our life to Him someday? Or are we still there at such a level where simply recounting those days when life was terrorised is patriotic enough? Or worst, have we also become terrorisers in the process of dealing with being once a victim? How have we moved on? For the better or for the worse?

These are some very pertinent questions which call for a deep and sincere evaluation of oneself and one's society before answering them. To put it squarely, an all-out honest answer to these questions may actually turn out to be a heart-rending one; it may make the innocent bloods of our people cry out to us to give their death a meaning which will make their souls proud, that they did not die in vain, that their death have resurrected their people. Who is ready to answer?

Men, land, and identity – on these three terms, the rationalization and justification of actions which are most undesirable can, to some extent, be given a consideration albeit with much difficulty. However, heinous crimes carried out against fellow Christians under the banner 'Nagalim for Christ' defies all logic and rationale of being a Christian. It defies everything that Christ stands for.

Every Christian worth his salt will feel an ache over this despicable linkage of Christ to a mission which is anything but Christ-like. The aftermath of it is still felt to this today in more ways than one, in inter-relationships as well as intra-relationships, socially, economically, morally. Woe to the one who orchestrated such a mission; even more woe is to those who continue to duplicate and perpetuate it elsewhere under different banners.

The irony here is that it is in Christ name and through Christ only that forgiveness will be possible. And forgive we shall, we should; many of us already have because Christ has forgiven us first. Apologising and making amends are choices which are more valuable if made voluntarily out of goodwill. It could also be that they would never be made.

Still then a positive spirit should be cultivated and nurtured because the Bible in Romans 12: 17-21 says "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

There are very few things in life which are more respect worthy and admirable than those who could rise above hardship and instead turn it into a 'manna' for others who come to know of it. Innocent bloods are waiting for us to turn them into 'manna'. There are examples from around the world which have shown us the path.

A fervent and undying hope that we are still a people who are inclined more towards goodness than badness in our heart of hearts is kept alive. Let us not give up on it, for forgive we can though forget we cannot.