Kukis observe 'Sahnit Ni' (Black Day), reiterates call for justice
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kangpokpi, September 13 2014 : In memory of the Kukis who lost their lives during the Naga-Kuki ethnic clashes that took place in 1990s, the Kuki community at Sadar Hills observed the 'Black Day' at Kangpokpi today.

Known in local dialect as 'Sahnit Ni', the black day has been commemorated by the Kukis all over the globe every year since the past several years.

The Black Day observance left all business establishments and educational institutions as well as Govt.administration completely dormant.

Every household in Kangpokpi town hoisted black flags and everyone was seen in black clothes.

Daily activities were suspended, and moving vehicles were witnessed with black flags.

From early morning, churches held mass prayers for justice to the victims and their families, said a Church Pastor while adding that some families also observed fasting in obeisance to the departed souls.

Kukis observe 'Sahnit Ni' (Black Day)

At noon, many people mostly in black clothes gathered at the memorial site where a monument had been erected last year in front of Inspection Bungalow, Kangpokpi to mourn and pay homage to the victims listed in the monument.

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills General Secretary N.Sehjalien Gangte lamented that on September 13 in 1993 more than 100 innocent Kukis were mercilessly killed and it remained the highest number of Kukis killed in a single day during the NSCN (IM) ethnic cleansing in Manipur.

While describing Kukis as peace loving people, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills General Secretary further said that the observance is not against anyone but to commemorate and mourn for the victims and also to pressure the government in taking specific measures to deliver justice to all the victims as well as compensate and resettle the displaced Kuki villagers.

A candle light service was also held at the Memorial Site later in the evening under the leadership of Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship.

The Kuki Black Day was also observed at Gelnal along the Imphal-Tamenglong road in presence of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills President Seikhomang Khongsai where after a prayer session, people observed two minutes' silence in honour of victims.

While urging other communities not to interpret the observance in the wrong sense, Seikhomang Khongsai prayed that such painful, ugly incidents should not recur in future.

The Day was also observed at Laikot in Sadar Hills in remembrance of the 106 innocent men, women and children murdered on September 13, 1993 .

During the observance various CSOs leaders, Church leaders and elders spoke on the need for reconciliation and restoration of peace and normalcy in the State.

In the meantime, Kangpokpi Town Committee Secretary Haokholun Chongloi said that the term Kuki-Naga ethnic clash used by some people is totally wrong and asserted that it was a coordinated attack on the innocent Kukis, including small children and women, by the NSCN (IM) .

As part of the observance, a large number of Kukis, including family members of the NSCN (IM)-attack victims, also held a memorial prayer at the Memorial Site.