CCpur, September 12, 2009: Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur has urged all Kuki households to hoist their respective black traditional shawls at their houses to mark the occasion of the Black Day which falls on September 13. Reminiscing the day when many Kukis met their end on the fateful day of September 13, 1993, a statement issued by the KSO information and publicity secretary, Khupmang Kipgen expressed its deepest astonishment on what had happened on this day sixteen years ago.

Khupmang Kipgen urged all the general publics to kindly observe this day of bewailing and lamentation to the departed souls who gave their lives for the cause of the Kukis in particular and the state in general."It is our responsibility and duty to put down all our wraths and exasperation against the past enemies and turn our heads to the Almighty God for our better tomorrow," it stated.

The KSO statement further urged all concerns to participate in the fasting prayer programme organised by Bethsaida Prayer Team (interdenominational) as part of the Black Day observance programme at Tuibuong Community Hall.

Evan VK Thanga, Director, BPT will be the main speaker at the prayer fellowship.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by information and publicity secretary of KNO, Lenin H Kuki also conveyed the outfit's respectful homage to all those killed, maimed, orphaned and widowed by the armed Limguards under the command of the NSCN (IM) during the 1990s and particularly to those inhumanely butchered villagers of Zoupi and Yanglenphai on the occasion of Kuki Black Day.

The KNO statement appealed all to observe the day as a day of prayer for early peaceful amicable settlement on the Kuki people's rights and problems and also for mutual co-existence of all ethnic groups in North East India.

Reiterating that it is customary for the Kuki people to pay honour and tribute to their beloved departed souls in two forms, Lenin H Kuki pointed out that for those who died an unnatural death the day of remembrance is occasionally solemnized as 'Sahnit Ni' and for the natural ones as 'Selnit Ni' in Thadou-Kuki.

At the same time, it is not against the beliefs and tenets of Christianity to mourn and pray for the bereaved family.Therefore, being a day of remembrance and violation of human rights, it is also appealed to one and all to hoist black flag or black traditional shawl in every household.

"Along with the echoing sounds of the cries and wails of the women and children of the victims of the 'ethnic cleansing' of the NSCN (IM), the KNO decries and out-rightly reject the miscalculated pogrom of the Muivah Tangkhul led IM leadership which has nothing to do with Naga nationalism of AZ Phizo and the much talked agenda of Naga integrity sans sovereignty," the statement asserted.

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