Why Black September Should Not Be Opposed

Samuel Singsit *

Kuki Black Day - September 13

Mankind has different ways of remembering dates. The Americans remembers 9/11 in a different way, the Japanese remembers 6/08 differently, and the Jews remember the "Yom Hashoah" dates in yet another way. These are some of the few among thousands of such incidents which will never be forgotten in the history of mankind. These incidents took place under varied political, economical and sociological conditions yet they have one thing in common which is mass massacre of Human beings.

Of all tragedy I remember, the Jews Holocaust stands out unique, never in the history of Mankind Genocide was carried out on a particular community with such intensity and frequency. Jews were killed just because they were Jews, neither because they did something wrong nor because their properties were envied.

One can sense a huge degree of parallelism between the Holocaust and the Zoupi Genocide, which even after 19 long years still haunts the People of Manipur in General and the Kuki community in particular. One such Parallelism is both the tragedy trace back its genesis to the heart of a Dictator, who probably to quench an ego or enjoy the sufferings and servitude of a fellow human or for some mere political or economical objectives had carried out such a massive atrocity.

Whatever be the reason genocide is genocide and there cannot be any better or worse victim, a victim is a victim. The other aspect is the specificity to a particular community, in Zoupi's case, the Kuki community.

Today the Kukis mourned and remembers the black September in yet a different way, while the perpetrators roams with impunity. It is even hard to swallow because the incident took place right under the nose of the Largest Democracy in the world boasting of its determinations to promote justice and fraternity. Flashing back to 19 years before present, on this very un fateful day Armed insurgents intercept a group of Kuki Civilians of Zoupi Village and butchered 90 people, with their hands tied behind, in one single day, women and babies included. The cold reminiscence of the ugly tragedy still visits the people of Manipur on this day every year.

One is compelled to wonder what possibly could be the reason the perpetrators assorted to such an inhuman act. Could it be a vengeance of an untold Past incident? Could it be just one of those ugly tactics to draw attentions for some demands? Or could it be a show of supremacy or Muscle power? There could not be a better person than the very person who masterminds the act to answer these Questions which still floods the minds of every one.

Having said that, the afterthought of the perpetrators is still a mystery. Do they still consider themselves a hero? Are they ready to apologies and accept what they did was uncalled for, or is there any guarantee that such an incident will not happen again in future?

While the act is deplorable in the highest degree, cultivating the same seed of hatred in the minds of the innocents should be the last thing we should wish. Three Kuki Organisations came out open in the press appealing the people to forgive and forget the past and stop observing the Black September. The initiative is highly appreciated, while it is flabbergasting that they missed the very fact that incidents in history are lessons for our present and future, they are the milestones to build and mould our future, they are the strong and formidable foundations on our path to foster peace and brother hood in this context.

The Zoupi incident is not something which should be buried away under the sand of time, on the contrary It should be remembered as a symbol of inhumanity and that such an inhuman act does not have a place in a civilized human world. I believe there is every reason for the people of Manipur in particular and the people of India in general irrespective of caste, creed, and religion to mourn for the victims of Zoupi Massacre for we do not know who will be the "Zoupis" of the next Genocide of such intensity.

It may well descend upon any one individual or community. The 13th September should be declared a state day so that Zoupi Massacre will not be a "precedent" but served as the "Omega" of such inhuman act and pray that such an atrocities should not come upon mankind again in future.

Black September should not be remembered as a day of Hatred or Vengeance but as a day of Peace and Brotherhood. It is rather embarrassing to see that it is considered a Black day for the Kuki Community only, while it is a black mark in the history of Manipur and India. The civil Society irrespective of Manipuris, Nagas and Kukis should come forward and pray for the victims so that their soul rest in peace.

The day should be taken out as an opportunity to ask the almighty to forgive those daring humans who butchered his most valued creation human being, way beyond the limit, another human would have the courage to even look at, for it is a tragedy which none would ever wish even for his most bitter enemy. We should realized the enemies of the Kukis are not Manipuris or Nagas or vice versa but our common enemy is poverty, illiteracy, and underdevelopment. The Day should be used as a Launch pad to send out a strong message that the common Man's need of Bread, cloths and shelters can be fulfilled only through Peace, and Brotherhood.

And for now, Black September or not , the wailings of the Zoupi Victims will continues to linger in the hearts of many for years to come and it is our only hope and prayer that Such an incident doesn't descend upon Mankind again.