By Dr Jangkhohao Hangshing
A Kuki village named Joupi was located on the border of Manipur and Nagaland in the
Tamenglong district of Manipur. It was close to the river Barak, which divides the two states
and is known locally as Tuilong vadung. The village, one of the most prosperous and well-
run Kuki villages in the area, was home to more than 100 households. Other Kuki villages
exist, including Janglenphai, which has a smaller population than Joupi. The Naga village
encircled this two-village area on all sides.
The Kukis and Zaliengrong Nagas have lived in the Tamenglong district of Manipur, particularly this area, since the dawn of time. They lived together as close kins in spite of
their difference in customs and language. The Meitei language was employed as a means of
communication, and their adherence to the Christian faith also played a significant role in
bringing the local communities together.
According to their interpretation, the people of the area designated 1993 as “Danger Point.” It was the year that the NSCN(IM), a separatist underground group, launched its drive to
expand the Nagalim and unite all Naga-inhabited lands under a single political authority.
The NSCN(IM) first warned the Joupi villagers in August 1993 that they should leave the
area because their homes would be set on fire and their village would be destroyed.
Additionally, they received a directive that if they leave the village, nothing bad will happen
to them. As a result, the villagers run away to the jungle, some staying in their jhum fields
while others opted to stay behind to defend the village. However, at the end of August, the
people return back to the village after they heard the word that no harms will be done to
them.
As things began to calm down, the residents of Joupi village held this belief. On the dreadful day of September 6, 1993, over 100 NSCN(IM) members broke into the village and took all the weaponry and sharp objects from the locals. They quickly tell the Chief to call a meeting of all the villagers. After all the residents had gathered in the village square, they divided the men from the women and the children, placing the capable men in the village community centre and the women and children in the church. At this point, as NSCN(IM) cadres were occupied dividing up the locals, word arrived from the adjoining Naga hamlet that government army troops were moving toward Joupi village. In hearing the news, they immediately left the village and fled to the nearby Kuki village Janglenphai. But, later in the evening they went back to the village and summoned the Village Chief Pu Lenpao Haokip to follow them, that was the last time they saw him again. Next day, news came from the villagers of Zampi that, Pu Lenpao Haokip was shot dead near the river Barak.
Social discontent was present in the area as a result of all these news stories and events, particularly among the Kukis of Joupi and Janglenphai. The locals therefore made the decision to dispatch Pu Letchon Kipgen and Pu Lalchon Lhouvum to travel and look for
assistance from their people in other parts of the area. Instead, the two bring back from Tamei a Quit Notice from the NSCN(IM) backed Nagalim Guard ordering all Kuki Villagers in the Tamenglong district to depart by the 15th of September. Following the announcement, the villagers convened and chose Pu Semkholam Hangshing to serve as acting village chief in order to decide their destiny. Due to the Acting Chief’s decision, the villagers attended their final service on September 11 under the direction of Pu Hellet Hangshing, Deacon of the Church and thus they vacate their ancestral land and village on the fateful day of 12th September, 1993.
Young, old, pregnant women, and all of the residents’ domestic animals set out for Chalva Kuki village in the Senapati district’s IT Road area (Now Kangpokpi district). Due to the terrain’s difficulty, it took them a full day to travel to Tamei, the last little village where Nagas lived in the Tamenglong district. They made the decision to spend the night by the roadside before reaching Tamei because they were exhausted after their daylong journey. However, they were warned that if they did not cross Tamei before 6 o’ clock, they would be slaughtered. The inhabitants of Joupi and Janglenphai continue their journey despite being exhausted and worn out in the aim of crossing Tamei before the deadline.
However, when they reached Tamei, NSCN(IM) and local Nagas of the region intercepted
the villagers. They snatched all their belongings; they separated the men from their families. All able men were tied behind their back and were order not to move. The women cried and begged for them but they were beaten and forced to leave them, whoever refused to leave their men were threatened to be shot at the spot. Thus, the women and children flee in fear for their life leaving behind all their menfolk in despair. The women and children continue their journey in the dark while the men of Joupi and Janglenphai villagers were tied up, separated from their families and kept in the dark all night.
On that fateful day of 13th September, 1993. About 100 of Joupi and Janglenphai village men were taken to a cliff by a river not far from Tamei, their hands were tied together behind their back in each pair. They were treated inhumanely, beaten, tortured, cut with a knife as they walked towards the cliff. Upon reaching the cliff, they slit their throats with a machete, they hacked and butchered their bodies, some were shot dead and they threw the dead bodies in the river. Some fortunate men however escaped from this vicious act of NSCN(IM) to narrate the exact tales. One among them is Pu Nguljang Lhanghal, a survivor of Joupi massacre 1993.
Pu Nguljang Lhanghal narrates that, on that fateful day he was tied together with Pu Lenlal
Mangjel, who was also from Joupi village. On their way to the cliff, both had been looking
their way out to escape and they had been trying to untie themselves. Without exchanging
words, as they were not allowed to talk and look around by the drunk cadres of NSCN(IM)
who walked them toward the cliff, the two understand each other, work together and finally
succeed in untying themselves. The cadres did not notice their struggles in untying
themselves as their shirts were worn out as they beat and hacked them in the process which fall out and hide their hands. After they could untie themselves, Pu Lenlal first jump off the road and later Pu Nguljang followed him, the two escape just before reaching the cliff, they hid and run for three days and three nights to reach Govajang Kuki village.
Another Survivor Pu Haosem Doungel also narrates that, “they slit the throats of most of the men with machetes and some were also shot dead. While one of the NSCN(IM) cadres held me from behind, another hacked me three times on the back of my neck. And then they pushed me to the river below. They also shot me twice to make sure that I was dead but God’s will, I survived. Half dead, I floated on the river and made it to the jungle where I hid myself. The next day, I struggle and walked to the village called Thenjang, I was then referred to Assam Rifle camp and treated for over a month”.
Mentioned may be made that, on the 12 th of September, 1993. A Kuki village Gelnal in IT
Road area was also attacked by the NSCN(IM), many houses were burnt, 15 people were
killed while the villagers fought back and defended their village which was later renovated
and stand strong till today.
The Joupi-Janglenphai massacre led to a conflict between the two communities in Manipur.
On September 7, 1995, a meeting was held under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Manipur to observe September 13 as Sahnit (Black Day) for the victims of the alleged NSCN-IM ethnic pogrom, which resulted in the death of more than 1000 innocent Kuki civilians, uprooting of 360 villages and displacement of more than one lakh Kukis between the year 1992-1995, as the case has not been settled till today as per Kukis’ customary rites and practices. For years, the Kuki community has been demanding justice for the victims, neither did the government took up prominent steps to ensure justice for the innocent people of the Kukis nor do the Nagas felt guilty for their inhumane act and proclaimed that they had been wrong all these years. This year 13th September marks the 27 th anniversary and commemoration of Kuki Black day