IMPHAL, Sep 13: Kukis in Manipur today observed “Black Day”, a day of mourning, in remembrance of those Kukis who were butchered during ethnic cleansing by the NSCN(IM) during 1992 to 1996 in Manipur.
Kuki leaders on the occasion said that the observation of the day would continue until and unless the United Naga Council, UNC, an apex Naga body explains the reason behind the massacre of the innocent Kukis by the NSCN(IM) and offer apologies according to Kuki customary laws as compensation for the loss of lives.
To mark the day black flags in half mast were hoisted at every household of the Kukis all over the state. Prayers were also offered for reconciliation, peace and solidarity in the churches today.
The formal observation of “Black Day” was held at Khongsai Veng Christian Church, Laipham Khunou, Imphal by the Kuki Black Day organizing committee in which Ch Doukhangam Mate mentioned the reason for observing September 13 as Kuki Black Day every year.
He said the NSCN(IM) under the banner ‘Nagaland for Christ’ started the process of ethnic cleansing of the Kuki tribes in the state during 1992 by serving quit notices to the Kuki villages with September 15, 1993 as the deadline to leave their homestead forever.
The villagers of Joupi and Janglenphai were displaced by setting fire to their villages on September 13, 1993 prior to the deadline fixed by the NSCN(IM), he recalled.
The cadres of NSCN(IM) waylaid the villagers and mercilessly massacred 87 men near Tamei (Aimol) town, thereafter. Also on the same day, 17 villagers of Gelnal and Santing and three men of Nunghut village met the same fate at the hands of the NSCN(IM).
He said the Kukis had no intention of revenge against the Nagas at that time as the Kuki youths heard the advice of Kuki elders explaining that Kukis were not born to fight and they were believers of peace and unity.
“It was due to the obedience and belief in the words of the elders that Kuki youths did not take up any steps to take revenge in future and have been maintaining peace among different communities settling in the state till today.
Later, Seitinmang Kipgen, a member of the organizing committee, in his speech observed that every Kuki had been asking in their minds why this Black Day was being observed on September 13 every year.
He also reminded of the moments of sudden massacre that had occurred on September 13, 1993 in which cadres of NSCN(IM) waylaid the villagers and mercilessly massacred 87 Kuki people in different villages as a part of ethnic cleansing drive conducted by the NSCN(IM).
He said Kuki Black Day is observed every year on this day in the memory of those innocent souls, and the day would continue to be observed until and unless the United Naga Council, UNC, an apex Naga body explains the reason behind the massacre of the innocent Kukis by the NSCN(IM), and offers apologies according to Kuki customary laws.
However, he clarified that the observation is not meant to encourage further ethnic conflict in the state by recalling those past incidents. The observance could be taken as the performance of ritual rites for the departed souls.
The observation of Kuki Black Day this morning at Khongsai Veng Christian Church, Laipham Kunou began with a song of mourning performed by Kuki Cultural troupe from Khongsai Veng.
An obituary reference to the innocent lives which were lost in the ethnic clashes was also given. The observance was attended by several villagers, leaders and students from different places.
Imphal Free Press
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ATSUM threatens State Govt
Imphal, Sep 13: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has threatened for a mass withdrawal of tribal students from the Manipur University (MU) if the authorities go ahead with the recruitment of lecturers and other staff as planned by the Manipur University authorities. The ATSUM also warned that the withdrawal of the tribal students will happen on the day the interviews get over and the result of the recruitment is declared.
The tribal students will have no other choice than to pull out en-mass from the University, said Ch Shangreipam, Secretary (education) ATSUM in a press release on Friday.
The secretary reminded that ATSUM and Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union (MUTSU) had taken a hard decision of mass withdrawal of tribals from the MU on March 11, 2008. However, the mass exodus was put on hold at the intervention of the State Govern- ment and the Chief Minister and his promises to do whatever was possible from his side, informed the secretary. It was also agreed that all forms of recruitment to the University would be put on hold, reminded the secretary of ATSUM. However, the University authorities have decided to break the gentleman’s agre-ement and go ahead with the recruitment citing that no written agreement was signed but only a verbal request from the CM, said Ch Shangrei-pam, secretary of the student body.
Stating that it hurts the feelings of the tribal, ATSUM has decided to withdraw all tribal students from the University the day the recruitment gets over and the results are declared. Though the decision taken after that day will be purely by the tribals, the secretary warned that ATSUM would not be wholly responsible for the decision.
The Sangai Express
Kuki leaders on the occasion said that the observation of the day would continue until and unless the United Naga Council, UNC, an apex Naga body explains the reason behind the massacre of the innocent Kukis by the NSCN(IM) and offer apologies according to Kuki customary laws as compensation for the loss of lives.
To mark the day black flags in half mast were hoisted at every household of the Kukis all over the state. Prayers were also offered for reconciliation, peace and solidarity in the churches today.
The formal observation of “Black Day” was held at Khongsai Veng Christian Church, Laipham Khunou, Imphal by the Kuki Black Day organizing committee in which Ch Doukhangam Mate mentioned the reason for observing September 13 as Kuki Black Day every year.
He said the NSCN(IM) under the banner ‘Nagaland for Christ’ started the process of ethnic cleansing of the Kuki tribes in the state during 1992 by serving quit notices to the Kuki villages with September 15, 1993 as the deadline to leave their homestead forever.
The villagers of Joupi and Janglenphai were displaced by setting fire to their villages on September 13, 1993 prior to the deadline fixed by the NSCN(IM), he recalled.
The cadres of NSCN(IM) waylaid the villagers and mercilessly massacred 87 men near Tamei (Aimol) town, thereafter. Also on the same day, 17 villagers of Gelnal and Santing and three men of Nunghut village met the same fate at the hands of the NSCN(IM).
He said the Kukis had no intention of revenge against the Nagas at that time as the Kuki youths heard the advice of Kuki elders explaining that Kukis were not born to fight and they were believers of peace and unity.
“It was due to the obedience and belief in the words of the elders that Kuki youths did not take up any steps to take revenge in future and have been maintaining peace among different communities settling in the state till today.
Later, Seitinmang Kipgen, a member of the organizing committee, in his speech observed that every Kuki had been asking in their minds why this Black Day was being observed on September 13 every year.
He also reminded of the moments of sudden massacre that had occurred on September 13, 1993 in which cadres of NSCN(IM) waylaid the villagers and mercilessly massacred 87 Kuki people in different villages as a part of ethnic cleansing drive conducted by the NSCN(IM).
He said Kuki Black Day is observed every year on this day in the memory of those innocent souls, and the day would continue to be observed until and unless the United Naga Council, UNC, an apex Naga body explains the reason behind the massacre of the innocent Kukis by the NSCN(IM), and offers apologies according to Kuki customary laws.
However, he clarified that the observation is not meant to encourage further ethnic conflict in the state by recalling those past incidents. The observance could be taken as the performance of ritual rites for the departed souls.
The observation of Kuki Black Day this morning at Khongsai Veng Christian Church, Laipham Kunou began with a song of mourning performed by Kuki Cultural troupe from Khongsai Veng.
An obituary reference to the innocent lives which were lost in the ethnic clashes was also given. The observance was attended by several villagers, leaders and students from different places.
Imphal Free Press
------------------
ATSUM threatens State Govt
Imphal, Sep 13: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has threatened for a mass withdrawal of tribal students from the Manipur University (MU) if the authorities go ahead with the recruitment of lecturers and other staff as planned by the Manipur University authorities. The ATSUM also warned that the withdrawal of the tribal students will happen on the day the interviews get over and the result of the recruitment is declared.
The tribal students will have no other choice than to pull out en-mass from the University, said Ch Shangreipam, Secretary (education) ATSUM in a press release on Friday.
The secretary reminded that ATSUM and Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union (MUTSU) had taken a hard decision of mass withdrawal of tribals from the MU on March 11, 2008. However, the mass exodus was put on hold at the intervention of the State Govern- ment and the Chief Minister and his promises to do whatever was possible from his side, informed the secretary. It was also agreed that all forms of recruitment to the University would be put on hold, reminded the secretary of ATSUM. However, the University authorities have decided to break the gentleman’s agre-ement and go ahead with the recruitment citing that no written agreement was signed but only a verbal request from the CM, said Ch Shangrei-pam, secretary of the student body.
Stating that it hurts the feelings of the tribal, ATSUM has decided to withdraw all tribal students from the University the day the recruitment gets over and the results are declared. Though the decision taken after that day will be purely by the tribals, the secretary warned that ATSUM would not be wholly responsible for the decision.
The Sangai Express
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