Kuki Inpi defies appeal against Black Day observance
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, September 10 2012: "In a single day, on September 13 in 1993, 104 Kukis were killed, because of this reason, the Kukis had resolved to observe Sahnit or Black Day on September 13 every year abiding the Kuki customary and cultural law" .

Kuki Inpi, the apex civil body of the Kukis has decided to observe the Black Day on September 13.This decision of the Kuki Inpi has come even as some prominent Kuki militant outfits had asked the Kukis to stop observing the Black Day.

Black Day is observed on September 13 to mark the Kukis killed during the 1990s ethnic clashes with the Nagas.

Few days ago, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), Kuki Revolutionary Army-United (KRA-U) and Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV) had asked the Kukis to stop the Black Day observation saying it only brings negative impact than doing good.

However, the Kuki apex body i.e the Kuki Inpi on Monday justifies its decision of observing the Black Day or Sahnit in Kuki dialects by saying that such practice has been carrying out by any Kuki village from time immemorial when someone is murdered in that village.

The observation is stopped after the case of the murder is settled amicably by the conflicting parties in the proper court of law, said the Kuki Inpi.

The apex body of the Kukis then claimed that till 1996 there were over 700 Kukis killed including children, pregnant women, aged persons and innocent people.

However, the total number of Kukis killed in the 1990s ethnic violence escalation reached one thousand.

In a single day on September 13 in 1993 altogether 104 Kukis were killed, alleged the Kuki apex body.

It then stated because of this reason, the Kukis had resolved to observe Sahnit or Black Day on September 13 every year abiding the Kuki customary and cultural law.

The Kuki Inpi said the community will observe the Black Day as long as the government of India settles the matter amicably.

The killings were caused by those who are fighting for sovereignty against India and therefore it is the bounded duty of the government of India to deliver justice to the Kuki victims, the Kuki Inpi stated.

The Kuki Inpi then said its unit in Manipur i.e the Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) had notified on August 31 for the Black Day observation which should be honoured by every Kuki village or organisation.

This stand of the apex Kuki body came three days after three Kuki based militant outfits had asked the Kukis not to observe the Black Day.

On September 7, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (United) have said the observance of the Black Day does not bring any good.

"It is a joint appeal from United Kuki Liberation Front, Zou Defence Volunteers and Kuki Revolutionary Army (United) to the kukis, particularly those who favour September 13 Kuki Black Day, to discontinue it as it is not going to do us any good.

We must focus on peace and harmony other than recalling the past wrongs committed by others.

No doubt the Naga-Kuki clash of 1992- 95 was still fresh in the minds of many, particularly among the victims, but one must focus on peace and harmony between the two communities for better future.

Observing the day as Kuki Black Day will only elongate the memory of the ugly past incidents and the same would instill ill-will into the minds of young generations.

The end result will benefit none of us," the UKLF, KRA-U and ZDV said.

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