UKLF against observing Black Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11 2016:
Stating its stand against the decision to observe Kuki Black Day, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) has asked those scheduled to address any meeting on the day not to enter the operational area of the outfit and asked the public to refrain from participating in the event.
Stating that its stand against the observation of Kuki Black Day does not stem from its association with a Naga revolutionary group nor will it change if it severs ties with the Naga armed group, UKLF in a statement said that even if September 13 is not observed in a big and political manner, families and near ones of the victims can pray for the departed souls in the Church or at home.
This is the traditional, cultural and spiritual way, said UKLF and added that this is how the day should be observed and not otherwise.
Observing the day in a political manner with designated or expert speakers to make it grand and political will send out negative messages, it said and added that it may be looked upon as instigating revenge and communal hatred.
This is why UKLF has been disapproving the observation of Kuki Black Day.
"Even as UKLF shares the grief and pain of the families who lost their loved ones during the early 1990s, we wish that their loss unite the whole community and that such tragedy or unfortunate incident does not recur in the community again," it added.
On the plan that the day will be observed at Tuibong for Churachandpur district and not at any other places such as Henglep, Hmar Veng, New Lamka, Singnat, Tipaimukh, Thanlon etc, the outfit asked if this means that the other places are not the land of the Kukis.
Does this mean that the people living in these areas are not Kukis, it asked and added that this is another reason why UKLF is against observing the day.
Citing these reasons, it said that UKLF will not allow those who have been delegated to speak at various locations under its operation areas particularly Tengnoupal, Moreh, Pallel, Sugnu and other locations to attend the event.
The outfit appealed to the event organisers and members of the community to desist from organising such events which can be harmful to the community and the community's relations with other communities, but to observe the day as remembering the departed souls and to sympathise with their families.
"Given that the trending politics of the land is on the lines of tribal and non-tribal and if we are to go on a common tribal issue, isn't it time for tribals to forgive one another of what happened in the past and shun the things that are detrimental to peace and reconciliation ?" asked the outfit.
It is also in Kuki's National interest for Kuki Inpi and KSO leaders to stop expelling other Kuki tribes from the Kuki fold, it observed.