Sahnit Ni will continue till justice delivered: KIM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, September 14 2022:
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has declared stated that the observance of Sahnit Ni (Kuki Black Day) on September 13 is not just a symbolic date for the Kukis, it is a distinctly important date.
"It is the darkest date in our history.
It is the date the Kukis around the globe paused to remember and reflect on the horrors of September 13, 1993," KIM said in a statement, adding that the mass killing of Kukis by the NSCN -IM and their collaborators in the infamous Kuki genocide of 1992-1997, remains arguably one of the bloodiest genocides in the history of modem India.
KIM continued, "September 13, 2022, marks the 29th anniversary of the deplorable massacre of our innocent people in Manipur at the hands of the NSCN-IM and their proxy - the Naga Lim Guards" .
"Equally deplorable is that due to the apathetic attitude of the authorities - State and the Central Government, justice remains elusive till date, for all the victims of the ethnic cleansing campaign, whose only crime was that they were Kukis", KIM stated while adding that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself.
The Joupi carnage was one of unspeakable horror in which 88 innopent Kukis were slaughtered like animals.
The unbridled brutality in the Joupi massacre was one of primordial savagery never witnessed or heard before.
Another 20 innocent Kukis were also obliterated on September 13, 1993 - 13 villagers from Gelnal (Senapati district, now Kangpokpi district), 4 from Santing (Senapati district now Kangpokpi district) and 3 from Nungthut (Tamenglong) bringing the day's total head count to 108, KIM added.
It then said, "The failure on the part of the Union Govern-ment to recognise the Kuki Genocide is in complete violation of the UNO Convention on the prevention and punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which it had signed on the 29th of November, 1949.The injudicious approach and attitude of the Indian Government towards the killings of thousands of Kukis in the infamy Kuki Genocide of 1992-1997, is clearly reflected in the fact that more than two decades have passed since, but no one has ever been charged or indicted for this sordid crime against humanity" .
"Today, we stand on the threshold of the 29th anniversary of the Kuki Genocide.
This can afford the perpetrators - the NSCN (IM) a good chance to repent, and to set aside the historical stigma in case if they make efforts to set free their organisation from this heavy blood stained burden," KIM said.
"29 years is short or long depending on where you stand but there is no justification for false moral equivalence.
The passage of time should not obscure the facts, lessen responsibility, or turn victims into villains," the Kuki body said.
"On this 29th Anniversary of Sahnit Ni/Kuki Black Day, We, the Kukis, renew our pledge today that - we will continue to solemnly observe Sahnit Ni/Kuki Black Day -Remembrance Day, as we have been doing for the preceding years," it added.
"Kukis will continue to cry out and be the voices of our brethren who were brutally killed, we will continue our fight against injustice and oppression with a renewed fervour and resolve, and we will continue to do so with a religious fervour until justice is duly served to the victims of the Kuki Genocide," KIM concluded.
Meanwhile, in connection with the 28th Sahnit Ni, Kangpokpi Youth Union under the aegis of Kangpokpi Town Committee organised a candlelight service on Tuesday evening at Kangpokpi town.
The candlelight service was held at Rotary Club waiting shed near Brig M Thomas Ground alongside National Highway 2 to pay tribute to the departed souls.
Survivors, victims' families and relatives apart from KTC members led by its vice chairman Helmang Hangshing and KWWO leaders led by its president Hekim Hangshing also took part in the solemn event.
KYU president Haolet Khongsai led the ceremony while Pastor J Lunkim, KCC performed the condolence service and invoked blessing prayer for the victim's families, and the Kuki community as a whole.
Pastor J Lunkim said observance of Sahnit Ni is not against anyone but to commemorate and mourn the victims, adding that "we are not mobilising to create hatred in our minds, but to seek justice for the departed souls" .
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