KANGPOKPI, September 13: The annual Kuki Black Day or Sahnit Ni, in local dialect, was observed today in different parts of the globe in remembrance of the Kuki victims during the alleged coordinated attack on the innocent Kukis, including small children and women, by the NSCN (IM) of the 90s in the last century.
As part of the Kuki Black Day observation, various Kuki Christian communities within Kangpokpi also observed the day with a mass prayer in their churches to commemorate the alleged inhuman massacre of over 900 innocent Kukis between 1992 and 1996 by the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah) especially on the September 13, 1993.
Apart from a mass prayer in the morning service, members of Kanggui (Kangpokpi) Christian Church, donned in black clothes gathered again in the Church at 11 am and observed the day to mourn the massacre victims.
Rev J Lunkim, Pastor Kanggui Christian Church underlined the historical background and significance of the `Black Day` observation and pledged that until the last ritual of all the innocent Kuki victims massacred by the NSCN-IM is performed traditionally and Government of India deliver justice upon them, the Black Day observation will continue.
He said that the observance is not against anyone but to commemorate and mourn the victims and also to pressure the government to take specific measures to deliver justice to all the victims.
“™We are not mobilizing to generate hatred in our minds, but to seek justice for the departed souls. Stay at peace as children of God and you are never denied justice”, Rev. J. Lunkim asserted while encouraging the church members to maintain peace and indulge in prayers for the departed souls.
A candle light service was also held to pay homage to the departed souls before a mass prayer for justice to the victims.
Other churches within Kangpokpi including KBC Centre Church also observed Kuki Black Day with a mass prayer for the victims and their families while paying homage to the departed souls.
The Kuki Black Day or Sahnit Ni was also observed by Kangpokpi Town Committee in collaboration with the Women Welfare Organization and Youth Union of the town.
The Black Day observance in the town also meant that all business establishments were vacant and every household hoisted black flags and almost all donned in black cloths and vehicles moved around with black flags fixed on it.
A massive candle light service was also held at the memorial site later in the evening at 6 under the leadership of the Town Committee wherein Rev. J. Lunkim, Chairman of Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship; Seikhomang Khongsai, President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Maj Huidrom Niranjan, Post Commander 25 AR Kangpokpi Post attended the function.
Apart from the general public and members of KTC, KWWO and KYU, various CSOs, churches leaders, family members of the victims were also present at the Candle light service.
A large number of Kukis converged at Tribal Market Complex, New Lambulane Imphal, under the banner of KSO Imphal and Kuki Inpi Imphal today, joining a solemn ceremony in remembrance of the innocent Kukis killed during the NSCN-IM led ethnic cleansing in the early 90s, said Seiboi Haokip, General Secretary KSO GHQ.
He continued that the congregation led by Rev S. Prem Vaiphei observed a two minutes silence in remembrance of the departed souls and mass prayer for peace and tranquillity in the State.
Prominent leaders from the community, Dr. T. Lunkim, Chairman of Kuki Organization for Human Rights (KuHUR) and Mr. S Touthang, President of Kuki Inpi Imphal spoke on the occasion, he said.
September 13 is observed as Kuki Black Day (SAHNIT NI) since 1993 in remembrance of more than 900 hundred innocent Kukis killed during early 90s in NSCN-IM led ethnic cleansing on Kukis. It was the day when maximum numbers of Kukis were killed at different incidents, recalled Seiboi Haokip.
Zoupi village lost 88 villagers, Gelnel villagers in Sadar Hills lost 13 villagers, Santing village lost 4 villagers and Nungthut village in Tamenglong lost 3 villagers, he said, adding that altogether the death toll of the day reached 108 on September 13, 1993.
He said, `Observing September 13 as Black Day has nothing bad intention on any communities or ignite communal hatred, yet we feel it is a moral obligation for every Kukis to observe and remember our innocent brethren who died protecting their lands`™`™.
As such, we observed it as a day of prayer in every village praying for our future and to avert such unwanted incident in future`, said Seiboi Haokip.
Seiboi Haokip also lamented that with the onset of September a social networking giant Facebook group photos of Chin-Kuki group having thousands members `Kuki Kahi Kakipah E` (I`™m Proud to be Kuki) has gone black with `Kuki Black Day` inscribed on it, while group members mostly students, employees and professionals have too blackened their prolife pictures to commemorate and pay tribute to the 900 plus Kukis killed during the early 90s ethnic violence.