Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Lest we forget "JANUARY 7, 2006"

Khatchin Langel

On January 7, 2006, an epoch making event, the like of which has rarely happened before, took place at Lamka Public Ground. If my limited knowledge serves me right, no such great movement ever took place before in Zogam history.

On December 31, 2005, a meticulously planned assassination conspiracy was executed with pin-point accuracy that brutally killed late Pu T. Thangthuam, IPS, Inspector General (Security). This horrendous crime on the very eve of the New Year - the most celebrated festival for Zomi Christians - shook all the tribes in Churachandpur District and its adjoining North-Eastern states and Myanmar. This tsunami-like high intensity shockwave devastated the whole society. The shock, feeling of total helplessness, anger and misery was beyond words. Every sensible person knew who the culprits were but nothing would be done against them by the rulers that be, whoever they were!! The die-hard few hoped against hope that strong warnings and retribution would surely come from the right quarters. But there was none! Total darkness and gloom replaced the happiness that inevitably comes with every New Year!

The personality, love and contributions to the society by late Pu T. Thangthuam. IPS is well-known to us all. He was brutally killed on Dec. 31, 2005 “by mistake”. A day earlier, a landmine blast blew up Mr. T. Laljem (19), s/o T. Thangkhogin of P. Munlian village, in Vangai Range, right in front of his father’s very eyes. A merciless mass rape was perpetrated at Parbung and its surrounding villages by an outlawed valley bases armed militants. Strong words of condemnations against these heinous crimes were issued by all political/ethnic parties, as usual.

[In Delhi, various meetings marked by emotional and powerful speeches took place. A common forum – Unau Forum – was formed to set the agenda for our future common fight against the systematic killings and continual oppression of the Meiteis. Sadly, it remain a piece of useless paper till today].

The mammoth gathering of thousands of people at Lamka Public Ground on January 7, 2006 - “The Day of Mourning” - was a spontaneous response to the courageous call from leaders of 4 separate Students’ Organizations viz. HSA, KSO, MZP and ZSF.

Lest we forget (to our own peril) this epoch making, momentous and path breaking Day of Deepest Public Mourning Day, I hereby chose to highlight three points from the Agreement, the Declaration and the Solemn Pledge made by the mammoth gathering in complete unison:-

(1) Adopt to sink our differences for the common cause of a separate administrative set up for the tribals,
(2) Each one deeply mourned the assassinations of T. Tualkhanpau, MPS, SP/Bishenpur, the killing of Pu R Parte, MPS and the assassination of Pu T. Thangthuam, IG(Intelligence) and his Guard Commander T. Khamkhanjam.
(3) There was no brighter future other than through self-governance and self-administration as was foreseen by the British.

I believe that if the history of independent Zogam is ever written in future, January 7, 2006 would surely be written in golden ink and celebrated as an one of the most important, auspicious national days.

My sole intention and purpose for writing this article is to ignite the ember of patriotism within us and somehow move forward, step-by-step, to our cherished long term goal, whatever it is. I fervently hope that this will help us in cementing a more durable unity and get closer to our dream of nationhood. If, however, some unscrupulous elements amongst us still interprete it in any other manner, I would be totally helpless. But so be it! Let our patriotism grow stronger and stronger every day.

[ SSPPNet ]
www.zogam.com

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