Yes, Its Truly is an Awakening Day!

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has recently made an announcement that it will be observing May 3 as Kuki- Zo Awakening to mark the first anniversary Meitei’s Genocide Campaign against Kuki-Zo ethnic group which was launched on May 3, 2023. In fact, the day will remain as a day Kukis were awoken from the deepest of slumber in the comfort of their homes. Moreover, it becomes a day we reconsider our principles on coexistence, rewrite history, redirect our priorities and reevaluate our strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, KIM finds it most appropriate to call the day AWAKENING DAY.

To recall again, on this day a year ago, Meiteis and their right-wing secessionist militant organizations launched a sudden and surprised attack against innocent Kukis. Rather than controlling the situation, the Manipur state government and its law enforcing agencies stood silent on what has happened in the heart of Imphal city. Within days, hundreds of innocent Kukis were killed and thousands of homes were reduced to ashes. Within weeks, tens of thousands Kukis were displaced from their homes. Till today, there is no relief at sight. The Manipur government and the far-right Meitei organizations continues targeting Kukis and their settlements on the pretext of performing the ‘noblest causes’ such as ‘war on drugs’, ‘checking illegal immigration’ and ‘fighting militancy’.

There is a long list of stories that describe the pains and sufferings of innocents in the hands of a state-sponsored terror. For twelve months now, we stood against the mighty state forces, resist several thousand strong Meitei militants who constantly made inroads into Kuki areas and attack innocent villagers. Kuki-Zo civil societies have urged Centre’s intervention, but our pleas are never taken into consideration. We are left without any option but defend with the least we have. Thankfully by the Grace of God, we miserably failed them in their genocidal campaign.

Now, as we continue to fight Meitei terror which is purely based on hate and greed, it gives invaluable lessons to all Kuki-Zo ethnic groups in Manipur and elsewhere. Meitei atrocities have taught that the only means of our survival is taking firm and united stance against any forms of hatred and inhuman subjections to the other. It also taught that victory lies not in numbers but in the fair spirit of defending one’s life and territory against any external threat.

Meitei atrocities also taught us that we could no longer rely on the friendship our forefathers forged, as it has been proven treacherous. For once and again, it is proven that our right to life, dignity and freedom depends on the supreme sacrifice of our sons and daughters alone. We have also been reminded that our home lies not in the valley but deep in the mountains, the abode of our ancestors. We must ensure that these mountains shine bright and beautiful someday. Meiteis greed and jealousy taught that we should be independent from Meitei centric systems such as education and medical care. We are compelled to build our own hospitals, schools and universities. We realized the importance of maintaining an independent arterial road for transport and communication.

Meitei war crimes also taught that, at the end of the day we would survive together if we firmly stood united or perished altogether otherwise. Our sons in the battlefield and our daughters attending the family have learnt how trivial is to fight for names and dialectal variations. When there is an impending death waiting at the other bunker, it is the other who comes to the rescue risking his own. Meitei atrocities developed the spirit of unity, gave so much hope, rebuilt trust and heal past wounds among us. Thus, the genocidal campaign against us has become a ‘necessary evil’ for our self-realization and introspection.

With this, the proposed theme “KUKI-ZO AWAKENING DAY” by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) appropriately presents the situations as to how far have we managed to capitalized Meitei aggression to our advantage. The theme positively presents a sense of responsibility for each and every one of us to contribute toward our common cause. It challenges the old school of thought on our values; coexistence, integrity, development and nation building as it becomes obsolete since May 3, 2023. The day, though deadly and destructive, has redirected us towards our original path - a path of past glory which was taken away a few hundred years ago. We must accept May 3 as an Awakening Call to also shed our differences, accept each other and more importantly keep us reminded that none of us will survive alone as petty tribe or clan. We will only restore our past glory as one great nation.