Observing 13th of September in Manipur as Black Day (Sahnit Ni)

Augustus Lhungdim *

Kuki Black Day - September 13 observed in 2012 at Kangpokpi :: pix - Jimmy Leivon

It is not in anyone's scheme of things to mark out a day as BLACK DAY for yearly commemoration for the simple reason none welcomes any incident dreadful enough to label it that way and mourn the day.

Least of all the people around the world, the Kukis also had never known nor anticipated a day as such which in time was ordained to become our tryst with destiny when we, as a distinct and separate nation, had to endure alone one of the most brutal, crude and inhuman massacres known in the history of this part of the world in the hands of NSCN (IM). On this single day in 1993, 117 defenceless innocent villagers of Joupi (87), Gelnal (17), Janglenphai, etc. were mowed down by sheer power of the machete in a display of utmost lack of humanity and sympathy for a living human being.

The commemoration today of the 13th September massacre as BLACK DAY(Sahnit Ni) is, however, not with the intention to ignite animosity or ill-feeling of the past nor create a chasm in the process of reconciliation and bonding with other communities. It is rather for the obvious compelling human urge to remember the fond memories of our lost brethren numbering over 900 whose innocent blood was shed for no other reason than that we as a nation, one and distinct, were seen as an obstacle to NSCN(IN)'s goal of unifying most hill districts to their imaginary Nagalim.

Save for this ugly chapter in our history, the Kukis had the most cordial, harmonious and brotherly engagement with our Naga brethren in all the hill areas transcending generations and political boundaries, the testimonies of which abound in tales and memories of the elderly folks. We long to bring back those past glorious days of traditional friendship and blissful existence which no homeland or lim can guarantee even in its eventual fruition.

There are numerous ideological allegiances spurring the so called revolutionary movements in this region of the country. All these movements claim to aspire for the lost peace and integrity of their people and ancestral lands. However, in the process, the very peace and harmony sought to be safeguarded have been sacrificed in the altar of a greater peace and harmony in a fairy tale like homeland or lim to be carved out from nowhere but this very region of the country. How far it is feasible and possible can be left to the sound judgment of anyone who claims to be sensible, reasonable and well-informed enough to grasp the geopolitical reality of today.

In the long chase to get to the mirage, the peace of the land has been gambled away. So is the NSCN(IM)'s game-plan to unify imaginary lands under one Naga administration. In the process, the Kukis were forcefully uprooted from their lands and displaced, even massacred in scores during the 90s. It was a huge blot to the noble Naga cause started in the late 40s by legendary Naga pioneers.

However, there has been no reckoning of blunder nor approach for reconciliation on the part of NSCN(IM) to soothe the wounded hearts, the least it could do to salvage its blurring vision of the legitimate Naga movement. Nor has the State Government of Manipur ever felt the tragedy at heart, rather treating it as one happening a thousand miles away from it.

It will only be to the detriment of Naga national movement if it goes down with the ageing leaders who fail to see and adapt to the emerging new realities for reason of holding on to their old notions, prejudices and strategies unfeasible in the 21st century. It must dawn in them that mistakes committed must be acknowledged by suppressing their arrogance and chauvinistic demeanour.

If Nazi Germany, Balkan Yugolsavia, Pol Pot's Cambodia, etc. could be denounced unequivocally by their very own people, how difficult is it for Th. Muivah to extend the olive branch publicly to the other hill brethren. Such an extraordinary act can be expected of a true statesman whose vision extends beyond the prism of Naga nationalism, and the Nagas surely deserve one.

It is now only clear that a true reconciliation and mutual inclusion is the only way forward. The Kukis too cannot cry over the past injustice and subjugation to the extent precluding a new and better shared future based on friendship and harmonious co-existence with the Nagas. Nor can the Nagas continue to drastically pursue the mirage and risk conflicts with various other communities.

For true peace and love is to be more desired for a 'Nagaland for Christ' if not in any other place, provided 'Christ' is still intact in the motto. On the other hand, there is nothing like absolute peace in this world, and even if the envisioned Nagalim is achieved there will still be dissensions and divisions among the Nagas as aptly exemplified by the recent news of Eastern Naga People's Organisation (ENPO)'s call for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland'. Therefore, sanity calls for peace and love, and more of it, not to snatch away the little entitlements people have.

In the same manner, the Kuki BLACK DAY (Sahnit Ni) is a day to remember our lost brethren, a day to realise our past communal follies, a day to consolidate our friendship for a better tomorrow, a day to pledge to fight communalism in all forms. It is a day for prayer, for the lost souls and for the peace of our time so that such a cataclysmic and savage history will not be re-scripted in our lands.

The memory of the innocent and defenceless victims is to serve as a reminder for the need to have a strong bonding encompassing any differences that can arise amongst us, and in the same way as Nagasaki and Hiroshima Day is observed in Japan. The world joins the Japanese on this day to renew their commitment to a nuclear war free world and not against the United States which was culprit bombing these two cities towards the end of 2nd WW.

The yearly commemoration at ground zero in memory of the WTC victims is also now being bereft of any political inkling leaving the speeches and activities to the survivors and victims' families which has made the memorial service more solemn and acceptable to all communities.

Same should be the spirit and logic in observing the BLACK DAY (Sahnit Ni) of September the 13th. As one WTC victim's relative remarked, no matter how many years pass, this time comes around each year- and it's always the same. We cannot wish away a bitter past, but we can certainly learn from it for a better future. That is the reason for observing Sahnit Ni.