Imphal, Sept. 13: Kukis in Manipur today observed a 'black day' urging Delhi to settle the issue of 'Kuki genocide' by the NSCN (I-M) before making an agreement with the militant outfit.

The community in the state observes September 13 as 'black day' every year in memory of the Kukis killed during the ethnic clashes that began in 1992 and continued till 1995.

The Kukis claimed that armed Nagas killed 105 unarmed Kukis, including women, children and elders, at Joupi in Tamenglong district and Gelnel in erstwhile Senapati district and at present in Kangpokpi district on this day in 1993. The toll was 900, they said. Altogether 360 villages were razed during the clashes, they added.

The day was marked with rallies and discussions at various places, including Imphal, where the Kukis took out a procession holding placards and festoons seeking 'justice' for the Kukis killed and villages uprooted.

'The rally was organised to protest against the sidelining of the Kuki genocide issue by the Centre while it is concentrating on the NSCN (I-M),' Paothinthang Luphung, the president of Kuki Students Organisation, said.

He warned that if the Centre continued to ignore the Kukis' demand for justice, they might take a 'tough stand'.

To mark the day, the Kukis began a march from Thau ground of Imphal city and concluded it at the same place.

In a memorandum sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kuki Inpi Manipur today demanded a trial of NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah in an Indian or in an international court for his 'crime against humanity'.

The memorandum, the copy of which was also sent to President Ram Nath Kovind, governor Najma Heptulla, chief minister N. Biren Singh, demanded resettlement and restoration of the 360 Kuki villages uprooted by the NSCN (I-M). It sought rehabilitation of the one lakh displaced Kuki villagers.

The black day was also observed in Bongbal Kholen of Kangpokpi district.

Bongbal villagers gathered at the church there and offered prayers and observed a minute's silence in honour of the victims of the ethnic clashes.

It is learnt that Nine villagers of Bongbal fell victims to the ethnic clash.

According to the village chairman, Letkhoneh Kipgen, the day was observed to honour the departed souls.

He appealed to the gathering to pray for the victims and foster the message of peace to avoid recurrence of such unwanted incidents in the future.

'It is time to forgive and forget and learn how to co-exist irrespective of caste, creed and religion,' said Kipgen.

Kuki Inpi Churachandpur also organised a programme to mark the day.

Kuki National Organisation (KNO) president P.S. Haokip attended the programme organised at Kuki Inpi Churachandpur office in Churachandpur town. KNO is an umbrella organisation in peace talks with the Centre and the state government.