Friday, September 12, 2008

Black Day observation to remember Kuki massacres

Source: http://ifp.co.in

IMPHAL, Sep 11: The Kuki Inpi Manipur has appealed to all Kukis to observe September 13 at Black Day in remembrance of the over 900 Kukis, including women and children, who were killed by the NSCN(IM) during 1992-95 as part of their ethnic cleansing drive undertaken in the state.

The Black Day will be observed as a day of mourning and the Kuki Inpi has asked all Kuki households to raise a black flag in half mast in front of their houses on the day. A prayer for reconciliation, peace and solidarity shall be held in every village church on the day.

The Kuki Inpi has rued the fact that no request for forgiveness and explanation has come forth from the NSCN(IM) as to why its people were mercilessly butchered in the drive.

The Inpi said that the government of India and the state government also failed to protect the Kukis from the marauding NSCN(IM) and it was only due to the intervention of the US and the UK that the conflict ceased.

M Kaimuanthang adds from Churachandpur: The Kuki Students Organisation, KSO, general secretary Seiboi has said that the various programmes will be held under the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur and the KSO Churachandpur to commemorate Black Day with all church denominations holding mass prayers at each place.

Moreover, all church leaders and elders will play the lead role in conducting a mass prayer for the departed souls and for peace to prevail everywhere.

The organising committee also urged one and all not to conduct functions and other entertaining programmes as a sign of showing solidarity towards the sufferings of innocent people.

On the day, all Kukis will hoist black traditional flags at their houses while blaring mikes and creation of other intolerable noises will not made, said Seiboi.

He said the mass prayers would be divided into three different sessions during which no one would make a mention about wars and communal fights and recall the past memories of adversity. While urging the cooperation of the public, he said on the day small black flags would be distributed to all free of cost and the committee would be happy if particularly the vehicle owners put them up on their vehicles.

Since traffic inconveniences may be caused, he appealed to all concerned to bear with them.

Meanwhile, the KNO has entreated all the people, the Kukis in particular, to solemnize September 13 (Kuki Black Day) as a day of prayer for peace and forgiveness and no ill-will towards others.

Though some critics may speak against the observance of Kuki Black Day, it is customary practice of the Kuki people to pay honour and tribute to those beloved departed souls, it said adding that such an occasion is called "Sahnit Nikho".

The KNO also expressed concern over the “discriminatory attitude of the state government and the Meiteis concerning the death of hundreds of innocent Kukis in the blood-stained hands of NSCN (IM) compared to the hue and cry over the death of 18 Meiteis in the hands of state security forces”.

It is undoubtedly manifested that the Meities of Imphal valley, till today have a prejudiced mindset and maintain a chauvinistic attitude towards the hills people, it rued.

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