Kuki Black Day observed in Dibrugarh

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH:The Kuki Black Day or "Sahnit Ni" was observed by the Kukis of Dibrugarh in the evening on Wednesday at Christ Church, South Khalihamari. The meeting was chaired by executive member of KWS, Thongminhao Haokip, Deputy Commandant CISF, BCPL. The programme was marked by one-minute silence in respect to all the departed souls who were butchered by the evil hands of hatred particularly on the fateful day of September 13 of 1993.

Naga-Kuki ethnic conflict took place in the nineties. In the incident, as many as 115 Kuki villagers, including women and children were mercilessly killed by the NSCN (IM) militants in a single day in Tamenglong district of Manipur more than two decades ago. The particular horrifying incident for which the Kuki Black Day took place in Joupi on September 13, 1993. The massacre therefore came to be known as 'Joupi Massacre', the direct fallout of hatred, enmity and ethnic cleansing. For many years the Kuki community have been demanding justice for the victims and observed the day, every year as Black Day and they called it 'Sahnit Ni' in their dialect.

The observance of the Black Day in Dibrugarh this year is organized by the Kuki Worship Service, Dibrugarh. On the occasion few elders of the community spoke to encourage and appeal the gathering in the light of the Christian teachings to live at peace with everyone.While briefing the gathering about background of the observance of Kuki Black Day, Thongminhao Haokip said he was a college student in Shillong during the period of massacre. He said, "I saw the pictures of the horrible incident and was absurd how such magnitude of merciless killings could take place…"

Chairman Kuki Worship Service (KWS), Dibrugarh, and Associate Professor of DHSK College, Dr.Lamkholal Doungel, while speaking on the occasion said, "As hate begets hate and violence begets violence, the main thrust on observance of the Black Day is to pray for the departed souls and for unity of the Kuki community, and also to give the world the message about futility of war and hatred." Other speakers who also spoke on the occasion were Thangjalal Lhouvum and Paolen Chongloi. The programme came to end with prayers and congregation lighting memorial candles in honour of the departed souls of the Joupi incident.

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