IMPHAL, September 13: Thousands of Kukis on Friday converged at Kangpokpi Thomas Ground, Sadar Hills, to observe the Kuki Black day held under the theme of “Justice and Peace”.
As a part of the observation, a public meeting was held at Kangpokpi Thomas ground organised by the Kangpokpi Town Committee.
In solidarity with the observation today, all business establishments and educational institutes remained shut and vehicles stayed off roads, in all the Kuki inhabited areas.
Speaking during the public meeting Haojaokhun Lukham, Vice president Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) said that the day is observed in remembrance of the 87 Kukis who were killed by the NSCN-IM on September 13, 1993 during an ethnic violence between Kuki and Nagas, in different places of Kuki inhabited areas of the state.
He elaborated the places included Zoupi village, Janglenphai of Tamenlong District, Gulner of Sadar Hill.
Clarifying on the controversy surrounding the observation, he said that the observation is not intended to fuel the idea of hatred to the Kuki people especially the younger generation but rather spread the message that such mindless acts does not benefit anyone.
While pointing out that the Kuki Black Day is being observed in the Kuki inhabited areas of the state since the year 1995, Haojakham Lukham, said that the Kukis are also demanding the state as well as the central government to re-settle the Kuki victims of the ethnic violence.
But despite the prolonged demand, both the state and the central governments have remained indifferent; he held and further questioned whether the Kukis are not Indian citizens.
Several social leaders, dignitaries also gave their speeches during the public meeting.
Further during the observation, a mass prayer was also held besides that a memorial stone erected in memory of more than 900 victims inside the Inspection Bungalow Campus Kangpokpi was also unveiled by the town chairman.
To mark the day observation black flags were hoisted at every household in the areas and all were seen dressed in black clothes.
Members of Kuki Inpi Manipur including its vice chairman Haojakhup Lupho, members of Autonomous District Council Kpi, Kuki State Demand Committee members including its chairman Hejang Haokip, gen secy K Haopu Gangte, members of Kuki Women Human Rights Organization, Members of Saikul Hill Town Committee, KSO Saikul, Women Union Saikul, Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization, Kangpokpi Youth Union, noted Kuki Gospel artiste including Jeff Akai, Esther Sitlhou, Seiboi Tuboi, Lalpaljou, etc., attended the observation apart from pastors, reverends and thousands of general public.
The evening session of the Black Day observation at Kangpokpi was organized by Kangpokpi Youth Union at a monument erected in the memory of those killed in front of Inspection Bungalow at Kangpokpi.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Students’ Organistaion of Delhi held a ‘Black Day’ on Friday at Jantar Mantar.
While urging the mass to not forget the fateful event, Thangminlen Kipgen, president of KSOD said, “We have not been mobilised here to generate hatred in our minds, but to seek justice for the departed souls. We just wish that the Government of India recognises this issue, so that we are instilled with enough confidence to talk further on the macro level.”
The assembly ended with a mass prayer and a candle light remembrance to those departed and their families.