Kukis observe Black Day solemnly all over
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, September 13 2015: The annual Kuki Black Day or Sahnit Ni, in local dialect, was observed today in different parts of the globe in remembrance of the Kuki victims during the alleged coordinated attack on the innocent Kukis, including small children and women, by the NSCN (IM) in the 90s.As part of the Kuki Black Day observation various Kuki Christian community within Kangpokpi also observed the day with a mass prayer in their Church to commemorate the alleged massacre of over 900 innocent Kukis between 1992 and 1996 by the NSCN-IM, especially on September 13, 1993 .

Apart from a mass prayer in the morning service, members of Kanggui (Kangpokpi) Christian Church, donned in black clothes gathered again in the Church at 11 am observed the day to mourn the massacre victims in the alleged NSCN-IM's attack on the innocent Kukis.

Kukis observe Black Day solemnly all over

Rev J Lunkim, Pastor Kanggui Christian Church stressed the historical background and the significance of the 'Black Day' observation and pointed out that until the last ritual of all the innocent Kuki victims massacred by the NSCN-IM will be performed traditionally only after the Government of India deliver justice, Black Day observation will continue.

He continued that the observance is not against anyone but to commemorate and mourn the victims and also to pressure the Government to take specific measures to deliver justice to all the victims while adding that 'we are not mobilizing to generate hatred in our minds, but to seek justice for the departed souls.' Stay at peace as children of God and you are never denied justice, Rev J Lunkim asserted while encouraging the Church members to maintain peace and pray for the departed souls.

A candle light service was also held to pay homage to the departed souls before a mass prayer for justice to the victims.

Other Churches within Kangpokpi including KBC Centre Church also observed Kuki Black Day with a mass prayer for the victims and their families while paying homage to the departed souls.

In the meantime, the Kuki Black Day or Sahnit Ni was also observed at Kangpokpi under the aegis of Kangpokpi Town Committee in collaboration with the Women Welfare Organization and Youth Union of the town.

The Black Day observance in the town also meant that all business establishments closed while every household hoisted black flags and almost all donned in black cloths and vehicles moved around with black flags.

A massive candle light service was also held at the Memorial Site later in the evening at 6 under the leadership of the Town Committee where Rev J Lunkim, Chairman, Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship, Seikhomang Khongsai, President, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Maj Huidrom Niranjan, Post Commander 25 AR Kangpokpi Post attended the function.

Apart from the general public and members of KTC, KWWO and KYU various CSOs, Church leaders, family members of the victims also attended the Candle light service.

As observed 13 September as Black Day (SAHNIT NI) by Kukis since 1993, a large number of Kukis converged at Tribal Market Complex, New Lambulane Imphal, under the banner of KSO Imphal and Kuki Inpi Imphal today, said Seiboi Haokip, General Secretary KSO, GHQs.

He continued that the congregation led by Rev S Prem Vaiphei observed a two minute silence in remembrance of the departed souls and mass prayer for peace and tranquility in the state.

Prominent leaders from the community Dr T Lunkim, Chairman, Kuki Organization for Human Rights (KuHUR) and S Touthang, President Kuki Inpi Imphal spoke on the occasion.

Zoupi village lost 88 villagers, Gelnel villagers in Sadar Hills lost 13 villagers, Santing village lost 4 villagers and Nungthut village in Tamenglong lost 3 villagers said a speaker while adding that all together the death toll of the day reached 108 on September 13, 1993.He however maintained that, "observing 13 September as Black Day has no bad intention on any communities or ignite communal hatred, yet we feel it is a moral obligation for every Kukis to observe and remember our innocent brethren who died protecting their lands.

"As such we observe it as a day of prayer in every village praying for our future and to avert such unwanted incident in future" said Seiboi Haokip.

Seiboi Haokip also said that Facebook group of Chin-Kuki group having thousands members "Kuki Kahi Kakipah E" (I'm Proud to be a Kuki) has gone black with "KUKI BLACK DAY" inscribed on it, while group members mostly students, employees and professionals too have blackened their prolife pictures to commemorate and as a tribute to the 900 plus Kukis killed during the early 90s ethnic violence.

It would be a great loss for the whole State if people of Naga, Kuki and Meitei communities, who have been residing together in Manipur since time immemorial, part ways due to the present issue.

As such, the CSOs spearheading the people's movement and State Government must resolve all the misunderstandings arising out of passing three Bills through talks at the earliest, the party observed.

Regarding territorial integrity of Manipur, the party observed that Manipur has a long history of being a Nation-State and it had its own distinct boundary when it merged with the Union of India, the observed.

As such, the NDA Government at the Centre must not take any decision which is detrimental to the territorial integrity of Manipur, the party said.

At this critical juncture, BJP Manipur State must not do cheap politics to topple the present State Government and impose President's Rule.

Manipur went up in flames when the ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) was extended without territorial limits after the imposition of PR in the State when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India in 2001, the party reminded.