Imphal, September 13, 2010: Kukis in Manipur observed the 'Black Day" today across the state with prayers and meetings.

The biggest programme was held at Saikul in Sadar Hills where the speakers reasoned why the Kukis continue to observe the day till these days.

During the ethnic clashes in the 1990s, some 87 Kukis were killed at Tamei subdivision in Tamenglong district on September 13 by the Nagas to which the Kukis termed it as the most horrific incident in the history of Manipur.

The Kukis claimed that over one thousand Kukis were killed and around 300 Kuki villages were burnt down by the Nagas during the ethnic problem of the 1990s. Speaking on the occasion today, Kuki Inpi, Saikul area president Thangkam Lupheng disclosed that the "Naga brothers" had requested the Kukis to stop observing the "Black Day" as it would widen the gap between the two communities.

"But it would have been better had the Nagas tendered an apology to the Kukis for the 1990s trouble," rued Lupheng.

The Kuki Inpi, Saikul area president also said that they had asked time and again why the Government of India continues to hold talks with those "Kuki killers." However, in the same breath, Thangkam Lupheng exhorted religiously that the Kukis were suffering because "we might have committed wrong deeds in the past, so we should pray God earnestly to forgive us" .

The Kuki Inpi leader then said that the various groups of Kuki underground should ponder with seriousness why the Kukis are today observing the Black Day and work hard to uplift the Kukis welfare.

Meanwhile, on Monday black flags were seen put up in many Kuki households observing the Black Day.

At Saikul, no shops were opened and all the activities were halted for the day.

Black Day was also observed in pockets of Imphal, and in pockets Chandel district, Churachandpur and wherever the Kukis confine.

Many Kuki churches in Imphal spent the day with prayers for those departed souls during the 1990s ethnic problem and also for those orphaned and widowed in the trouble.

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