KNO cautions to go back to jungles

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 13, 2018: Kuki National Organisation (KNO) an umbrella organisation of 17 groups has warned the government of India that it does not hesitate to go back to jungles if Kuki’s right is not respected and treated with dignity.

It was stated by PS Haokip, president KNO during the observation of Sahnit-Ni or Kuki Black Day in Churachandpur.

The black day was observed for three days since September 11 pledging to fight for justice for those who were allegedly killed in the genocide by NSCN-IM rebels during 1992-1997.

The organisers, Kuki Black Day (Sahnit-Ni) Committee, said on September 13, 1993, the NSCN-IM massacred more than 115 innocent Kuki villagers at Gelnel, Santing, Nungthut and Joupi. It was the darkest day in the history of the Kukis. Kuki people around the world decided to observe September 13 as Kuki Black Day until justice is brought to the victims of the genocide, it added.

To begin the three-day observation of black day, three monoliths ( Lum song), inscribed with the names of 1,157 people who were victims of the genocide, were unveiled at Kuki Inpi Churachandpur Complex, Tuibong on Tuesday.

Haokip said we grieve over the massacre for the last 25 years, and we have cried ourselves hoarse demanding that the innocent Kukis be granted justice by booking the perpetrators of the genocide. “The governments both at the centre and the state had not only turned a blind eye to the human massacre by Th. Muivah and his band of marauders, but also shunned their ears to our cries for justice for a quarter century now. Adding salt to our wounds, they are engaging the masterminds of Kuki genocide and trying to appease their greed for our land,” he added.

By erecting memorial stones inscribed with the names of the victims of Tangkhul instigated and NSCN-IM led genocide, we are telling the world and powers that be, that we shall continue to fight for justice to more than 1000 innocent, hapless Kuki villagers killed, the people of 350 plus villages uprooted, the innumerable children orphaned, the many mothers widowed by the genocide. Kukis shall continue to fight against crime against humanity, irresponsible governments and communal tyranny. We are gathered today to tell the world that our blood shall not flow in vain, and we will not cede the land we guarded with our blood, against the British colonial army, the land the blood of our infants and suckling mothers washed, said the president.

KNO is in political dialogue with the central government where we have consistently been telling the government of India that Kukis will feel safe only when our right to govern ourselves in our land is given recognition. We cannot settle for any less. The KNO is ready to stand with the Kuki people till that right of ours is respected, and no attempt to trample over our land and rights will be tolerated, said Haokip.