Imphal: The Kuki community gathered at Manipur's Churachandpur district to observe the 25th anniversary of Sahnit-Ni or Kuki Black Day, pledging to fight for justice for those who were allegedly killed in the genocide by NSCN (I-M) rebels during 1992-1997.

To begin the three-day observation of black day, three monoliths ( Lum song), inscribed with the names of 1,157 people who were victims of the genocide, were unveiled at Kuki Inpi Churachandpur Complex, Tuibong on Tuesday.

The monoliths were unveiled with cultural salutes and floral tributes.

The NSCN (I-M) is engaged in talks with the Centre for lasting peace in Nagaland. Sources said talks based on the Naga framework agreement in 2015 is at an advanced stage.

The mass gathering pledged to uphold the cause of sacrifice made by thousands of Kukis and ensure justice to them, to defend and secure Kuki ancestral land, to uphold peace, justice and human rights in Kuki fatherland, to oppose all forces of hatred and greed that endanger peace, to prevent bloodshed in Kuki land to promote progress, prosperity and peaceful co-existence with others.

The organisers, Kuki Black Day (Sahnit-Ni) Committee, said on September 13, 1993, the NSCN (I-M) massacred more than 115 innocent Kuki villagers at Gelnel, Santing, Nungthut and Joupi.

It was the darkest day in the history of the Kukis. Kuki people around the world decided to observe September 13 as Kuki Black Day until justice is brought to the victims of the genocide, it added.

September 13 is chosen as a day of mourning, prayer, retrospection and introspection by the Kukis over those who lost their lives to the NSCN (I-M) during its infamous ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kukis, said Letzamang Haokip, chairman of the committee.

"The NSCN (I-M) claimed part of Kuki ancestral territory for its Nagalim and started an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kukis. Its inhuman and barbaric campaign against the Kukis caused the massacre of 1,157 lives of innocent Kukis, destruction and eviction of more than 360 Kuki villages, and the displacement of more than 1.5 lakh Kuki population from their ancestral home, who still remain homeless and destitute. Even after 25 years of the infamous Joupi massacre, both the Centre and the Manipur government have done nothing to rehabilitate and resettle the Kukis. Instead, the government reasons with the culprits of genocide which has threatened the very existence of the Kukis as loyal citizens of India," he said.