SHILLONG, MAY 5: The Kuki-Zo community in Shillong observed May 3, 2024, as the “Awakening Day”, marking the one-year anniversary of “state-sponsored” ethnic cleansing against the Kuki community, which began on May 3, 2023.

The event was organized by the Kuki Inpi Meghalaya and Kuki Students Organisation, Shillong, at the Kuki Worship Service, Church complex, Lumbatngen, Madanryting, Shillong. Isaiah 1:18 of the Holy Bible, “Come let’s reason together for our future…..”, was chosen as the Theme of the event.

The program was graced by the tribe leaders of the Kuki-Zo community viz Kuki, Mizo, Hmar, Paite, Vaiphei, Gangte, Zou, Simte, Tidim-Chin, etc and was attended by thousands of the Kuki-Zo brethren living in and around Shillong.

The event was organized to remember and mourn the loss of hundreds of innocent lives in the ongoing state-sponsored ethnic cleansing targeting the Kuki-Zo community.

A moment of silence was observed to honour and pay respects to the Kuki-Zo victims who lost their lives in this conflict.

Pu S Touthang, President of the Kuki Inpi Meghalaya, while delivering the keynote address, reminded the gathering that during the last 12 months of conflict, the death toll among Kuki-Zo civilians has risen to 185, with over 200 villages and 7,000 homes destroyed completely. Additionally, 360 or more places of worship, including churches and synagogues, were burned down, leading to the internal displacement of more than 40,000 people across 200 relief camps. Nearly 100 schools belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were also destroyed or vandalized.

The President of the Kuki Inpi Meghalaya expressed that May 3, 2023, would be forever etched in memory as a significant moment of awakening for the Kuki-Zo community.

He explained that the creation of a Buffer Zone (boundary within state boundary) for the two warring groups by the Hon’ble Home Minister (HM) in Manipur was not only unprecedented but also an acknowledgement of Govt. of India that the Meitei and Kukis could not live together anymore.

The CM of Manipur, in one of his press briefings at Imphal Airport after meeting the HM, stated that from now on, the HM will look after the welfare/governance of the hills, and he ( Biren Singh) will look after the valley.

With this backdrop, Touthang explained the importance of safeguarding the Buffer Zone/Frontlines so created by the Hon’ble HM, and for that, he called upon all Kuki-Zo brethren to the unit as unity is the only means to achieve the political goal, i.e. separate administration from Meitei centric government but within the Indian Constitutional framework.

He stressed the need for continual vigilance and steadfastness in protecting Pupa Gam (Ancestral land) and upholding the community’s values and principles. Thus, observing May 3 as “Awakening Day” is fitting, symbolizing the newfound socio-political awareness and determination of the Kuki-Zo people. The view of the President, Kuki Inpi Meghalaya, on the unity of the Kuki-Zo was agreed upon and echoed by all the tribe leaders/ representatives during their speech.

The event concluded with a candlelight vigil led by the Kuki Students’ Organisation Shillong.

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