Kukiland: The Kuki people will observe Kuki Black Day, also known as Sahnit Ni, on 13th September 2026. The information was given in an official press release issued on Friday by the Office of the Kuki National Defense Force (KNDF), General Headquarters, Kukiland, under Ref. No. KNDF/GHQ/PR/2026-09-01. The organisation said the day is being observed to pay solemn tribute to those who lost their lives during the turbulent period of the 1990s.
According to the press statement, Kuki Black Day is a solemn reminder of the lives lost, the villages destroyed and the immense suffering endured by the Kuki people during the Kuki ethnic conflict in the 1990s. The KNDF stated that the day is not just an observance, but a moment to reflect on a painful chapter that left deep scars on the community. It said remembering the past is essential to honour the sacrifices and to ensure that history is not forgotten.
The KNDF further stated that the day is observed as a day of remembrance, mourning and a call for justice for innocent Kuki men, women and children who were brutally killed, and for those who were displaced from their ancestral homes. The organisation said many families are still unable to return to their original villages and many continue to live with trauma. It added that justice for those victims has remained incomplete.
Recalling the events of the 1990s, the KNDF said it remembers with deep grief and anger the atrocities committed against its people. The statement alleged that the Tangkhuls, together with other armed groups, stood with those who attacked and destroyed Kuki villages, burned homes and took the lives of loved ones. The organisation claimed that the violence was systematic and left hundreds of villages in ruins.
The release noted that for decades after the conflict, Kuki people have been forced to suffer and live as refugees in their own land, carrying the scars of that painful chapter. The KNDF asserted that despite the passage of time, the blood of its people is not forgotten and the wounds are still fresh in the hearts of the community. It said the legacy of displacement and loss continues to affect new generations.
The organisation alleged that even now, the same hateful spirit is visible on the ground. The statement claimed that some Tangkhul terrorists and militants, along with NSCN-IM cadres, continue to carry out attacks against Kuki people in different areas. It alleged that these groups target villages, families and communities, showing hatred and cruelty. The KNDF described such acts not just as an attack on Kuki people but as an attack on their existence, dignity and future.
Issuing a stern warning, the KNDF said, “Let it be clear: if you think you can do this again, think twice. The KNDF is watching.” The organisation asserted that its people are not defenseless and warned that any further attack on Kuki villages or on Kuki people will be met with a strong and decisive response. It clarified that the message should be taken as a warning, not a threat, but as a firm message to protect its people.
In an appeal, the KNDF called upon all Tangkhul leaders and Tangkhul groups to end their support for such terrorist activities. It urged them to stop the cycle of violence and choose peace over hatred. The organisation said if they value the lives of their own people, they should not allow their land to be used as a battlefield again. It stressed that peace can only be achieved through mutual respect.
The KNDF concluded its press statement by asserting that it stands united, firm and unshaken. It said its grief will turn into greater strength and its pain will fuel determination. Reiterating its pledge, the organisation said, “We will not forget, and we will not be silent. Let us remember. Let us stand. Let us ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.” The statement was issued by the Office of the General Headquarters, Kuki National Defense Force, Kukiland.
