The Kuki community in Manipur today urged the Centre to ensure justice for its people who were killed by Naga militants in the early Nineties. The Kukis reminded Delhi about its “failure” to ensure “justice” for over 900 Kukis, who were allegedly killed by the NSCN (I-M).
The Kukis also alleged that over 350 villages were razed by the NSCN (I-M) during the Naga-Kuki clashes.
The Kuki community observed today as “black day” in memory of the Kukis killed during the ethnic clashes between 1992 and 1995.
Armed Naga militants slaughtered 105 unarmed Kuki women, children and elderly men at Joupi in Tamenglong district and Gelnel in Senapati district on this day in 1993. The Kukis have been observing this day as Black Day every year.
Highlights of today’s programme included group prayers in churches and hoisting of black flags atop houses belonging to Kukis.
Members of the Kuki community suspended the day’s routine activities. “Prayers were held in every church located in the Kuki-inhabited areas today. We did not work today. We also put up black flags atop every house,” said Apao Haokip, adviser of the Kuki Students Organisation.
A prayer meeting was also held at Imphal’s Kuki Inn. Important Kuki leaders, including student leaders and community leaders, took part in the programme.
Haokip said the prayers were held for attaining peace in society and in memory of those killed. “We only pray for peace. We do not have any yearning for revenge in our minds when we observe this ‘black day’,” another Kuki leader said.
In a statement, T. Lunkim, adviser to the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, pointed out that the last rites of those killed during the clashes were yet to be performed.
The Kuki Inpi, Manipur, undertook a peace initiative with the United Naga Council (UNC) in 1994. But the UNC spurned the peace initiative, he claimed.
Asserting that the Kukis in Manipur were seeking justice for the Kukis killed and Kuki villages devastated by the NSCN (I-M), he complained that the Centre has not done anything to deliver justice.
“The NSCN (I-M) killed the Kukis as part of its struggle for freedom. But if the Centre is not going to protect the Kukis, who will protect us?” the adviser of the apex organisation of the Kukis asked.
On September 3, 10 Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) activists were killed by the NSCN (I-M) at Tangkhul Hundung in Ukhrul district.
The incident sparked considerable tension between the communities. However, the tension subsided after the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, and the UNC intervened.
However, the KLA has not withdrawn its demand seeking that the weapons snatched by the NSCN (I-M) from the slain activists be returned. The outfit also wants the dispute settled in accordance with customary tribal laws.
The Kuki community also rejected charges levelled by the NSCN (I-M) that the KLA comprised anti-revolutionary and criminal elements, which had hijacked vehicles and abducted people for ransom.
The Telgraph
The Kukis also alleged that over 350 villages were razed by the NSCN (I-M) during the Naga-Kuki clashes.
The Kuki community observed today as “black day” in memory of the Kukis killed during the ethnic clashes between 1992 and 1995.
Armed Naga militants slaughtered 105 unarmed Kuki women, children and elderly men at Joupi in Tamenglong district and Gelnel in Senapati district on this day in 1993. The Kukis have been observing this day as Black Day every year.
Highlights of today’s programme included group prayers in churches and hoisting of black flags atop houses belonging to Kukis.
Members of the Kuki community suspended the day’s routine activities. “Prayers were held in every church located in the Kuki-inhabited areas today. We did not work today. We also put up black flags atop every house,” said Apao Haokip, adviser of the Kuki Students Organisation.
A prayer meeting was also held at Imphal’s Kuki Inn. Important Kuki leaders, including student leaders and community leaders, took part in the programme.
Haokip said the prayers were held for attaining peace in society and in memory of those killed. “We only pray for peace. We do not have any yearning for revenge in our minds when we observe this ‘black day’,” another Kuki leader said.
In a statement, T. Lunkim, adviser to the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, pointed out that the last rites of those killed during the clashes were yet to be performed.
The Kuki Inpi, Manipur, undertook a peace initiative with the United Naga Council (UNC) in 1994. But the UNC spurned the peace initiative, he claimed.
Asserting that the Kukis in Manipur were seeking justice for the Kukis killed and Kuki villages devastated by the NSCN (I-M), he complained that the Centre has not done anything to deliver justice.
“The NSCN (I-M) killed the Kukis as part of its struggle for freedom. But if the Centre is not going to protect the Kukis, who will protect us?” the adviser of the apex organisation of the Kukis asked.
On September 3, 10 Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) activists were killed by the NSCN (I-M) at Tangkhul Hundung in Ukhrul district.
The incident sparked considerable tension between the communities. However, the tension subsided after the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, and the UNC intervened.
However, the KLA has not withdrawn its demand seeking that the weapons snatched by the NSCN (I-M) from the slain activists be returned. The outfit also wants the dispute settled in accordance with customary tribal laws.
The Kuki community also rejected charges levelled by the NSCN (I-M) that the KLA comprised anti-revolutionary and criminal elements, which had hijacked vehicles and abducted people for ransom.
The Telgraph
