Decoding: The untold incident of 13th Sept, 1993 at Gelnal Village

THJ News Service September 11, 2021

(Also published by TMB, SANGAI AND IMPHAL TIMES on the 11th,12th Sept, 2021)

By Thanggoulal Khongsai

Ever since the atrocities, brutal killing and inhuman treatment melted out to Kuki brethern by the Naga insurgent outfits, the NSCN-IM, in 1993, the Kuki community all over the word has been observing the 13th September every year as “Kuki Black Day or Sahnit” to commemorate the hundred innocent  lives butchered by the said militants in a broad daylight. This of the most ugliest and unfortunate incident of Kuki ethnic cleansing  in the History of Kuki in particular and for the state of Manipur in general is of immense significant today as it imprints an unforgettable mark in the History of Tribals in Manipur. The two major tribes in Manipur, the Kuki and Naga, whose history is of unique in its own and with distinct features unprecedentedly got into conflict in 1993; subsequently, causing bloodshed and lost of hundred lives is nothing sort of “power hungry” perpetuated by Power thirst entity arising out of self interest.

It was on the 13th September 1993, of several affected villages in the I.T Road area of Manipur, Gelnal Village was one of the victims that suffered in the hands of the NSCN-IM; wherein close to 75 houses were uprooted; animals killed; denuded and seized of household properties; mercilessly firing and killing of innocent, torturing of women, children and all ages on that fateful day have been persistently remains afresh in the heart of Gelnal until today. Blood swept the whole village, cries of the helpless sound thundered, bullet rains and the modern ammunition used by the NSCN-IM against the innocent villagers were in full swing. In the midst of this, Gelnal was in darkness and there were no immediate helps from Govt agency or forces despite the incident a crystal  pre-planned. It is for this reason that Gelnal Village should also be in a limelight today.

Quit Notice and War Strategy:

As the NSCN-IM began their territorial expansionist policy; to annexed and capture the  Hilly regions of Manipur that were particularly under the inheritance and territorial dominance of the Kuki Chiefs since time immemorial were their utmost ultimate concerned. As a result of their policy, they began to wage war against the Kuki and included all their inhabited areas to be part of their Southern Nagaland and thereby  served a “QUIT NOTICE” to all Kuki Chiefs in the name of United Naga Council(UNC). Taking cognizant to this notice, all Kuki Chiefs within Sadar Hills areas including prominent Kuki leaders from Imphal held a meeting at Kaithemmanbi Military Council, KMC, in November 1992 on safeguarding fatherland from invaders and to unitedly stand against from foreign intruders. Within a few short span of time, the news of NSCN-IM committing heinous crime and killing, firing and inhuman activities against Kuki brethren were spreading like wildfire.  As a result, on the 22/2/1993, the Chief of Gelnal summoned a local General meeting wherein they unanimously agreed for the protection of their land and Villagers against any invaders. Besides this, the under listed point were also the resolutions they unanimously adopted as part of their Village Defensive Strategy:

1. Blanket ban on unnecessary travelling to other places and to return from work within 4 PM sharp.

2. Prohibition on Individual or personal  travelling unless inevitably necessary. 

3. To Locked Village Exit Gates before 5PM by concern Duty-Incharge and to be Open at 6AM. 

4. Formation of Village Defence Committee to be led by Pu Seijahao and Pu Haothang(Both of whom are still alive) along with seven other competent village head men. 

As the day of the Village attack was imminent, villagers began to fenced all over the village premises under the leadership of Village Defence Committee. It was during this time that a sharpen bamboo with a pointed tip(Local trap) of 2/3 ft tall were installed all over the village premises. From South to North, east to west and in every cardinal directions a Duty post was also installed and a duty to each posts were assigned to all men and youths on one after another basis. With no immediate suitable hideout place, some men began to dig pit in their own backyard. Also, as there were no presence of modern weapons and bullet, besides no money and means to buy such modern guns; an initiative for the production of local made guns were initiated under the head of Pu Ngulthang and Pu Lutsei; and simultaneously the making of bullet was initiated under Pu Haojangul’s supervision. This was the beginning that sleepless night for children and women, young and old, male and female alike had began.

Also, mentioned may be made in particular that on the day of Gelnal’s Attack the NSCN-IM were lead by the Kadi Nagas who settled in the North Western Upper part of Gelnal Village. They accompanied the NSCN-IM and took major role during the fateful hour of Gelnal’s bloodshed. However, mutual relationship between the two villages have not yet faded until this day despite the wrongs they had committed in the past. Meanwhile, they were also part of Gelnal Christian Church Sub-branch and were given all kinds of aid and assistance during their early Church foundation. It was Pu Salibou and one of his friends who came all the way from Kadi and sought help for a devout Christian from Gelnal Church who could help them lead and govern their newly established Church since the number of their church member increases. Taking note of the request, Gelnal Christian Church sent Pu Thongkhosei Lunkim to lead the Kadi Church for three consecutive years. During his stayed at Kadi, he not only build their Christian faith, but also taught lessons during noon time. Such was the relationship between the Kadi Naga and Gelnal that even at present and in future, shall both  remain cordial to each other as it did so in the past.

The Secret Propaganda:

On the 12th Sept, 1993, a day before the attacked, the 21st Assam Rifles(AR) posted at Tamei were heading towards T. Waichong under Captian’s command where they stopped for an hour at Gelnal Village.  It so accidentally happened that one of the AR personnels, a Nepali by blood, was visiting the shop and eventually came in contact with the Nepali Shopkeeper there. Being of the same caste, the personnel had secretly informed her and also appealed for her immediate vacate of the village right after they left. He also told her that, “the NSCN-IM are prepared to take control of the village tonight”. On hearing such information, the shocking and terrified shopkeeper in turn forwarded to one of the villagers whom she trusted. The villager inturned passed on the information to the Chief. Then, the chief along with Pu Heljapao(Retired Havidar) immediately rushed to meet the AR personnels and sought their support. They requested the AR Captain to stayed for a night. However, the Captain responded that, he was being orderd to report at T. Waichong without a day’s delay and therefore, he expressed his state of helplessness. Even after such repeated request and appeals, the Captain did not budged as he was following his Higher Order(CO Oder); henceforth, every efforts they made to let the AR stay overnight was all in vain. After the AR personnels left, so did the Nepali Shopkeeper for Timsina. There was no sign of hope for the people of Gelnal and the only option left for them was to stand firm and face the circumstances. 

Life was hit hard. The village youth and men were the most affected ones. They had to stand guard all day and night in defend of their women, children, elderly ones, domestic animals, houses and their properties against every odds. Restless and sleepless hour had began and under the leadership of few men,  a group of women and children were made to rest at Church, Guest House and inside the community Hall. No body feels secured to sleep alone in their own comfort room during those times. 

The Attack and Aftermath:

As the freeze autumn morning arrives, birds chrips and the cock crows. This was the 13th September morning. Until this moment, information was passed to one another as there were no sign of untoward incidents that could likely occurred. Therefore, at 4:00AM , as usual, Church Peon, Pu Nahlal, rang the Church Bell and the Chief of the Village with wailed pitch invited his villagers for a morning prayer. Whoever heard the calling voice of the chief,  they head towards the church and offer their prayers to God. 

It was on this day that the people of Gelnal had their worst nightmare experiences. Several incidents took place at different locations within the village premises. Most notable ones were the incidents at Northern part, Central part, North Eastern part and Western part of the village. The village was surrounded on all sides and tens and twenties of innocent have laid down their lives in defence of their land and property. Houses burn, animals killed and hundreds of bullets rains all over the village. The firing exchange lasted for almost four and half hours. Uniform men and women who were looking for innocent lives were floded in all corners of the village and the modern weapons they used against the villagers were of no matched to that of Local made guns and bullets used by the villagers. Some of those without weapons were also seen holding Kerosene, splashed it over the roof, burn it and than left. Some of them were witnessed with a medical supplies equipment who were in turn accompanied by fully armed personnels. Also, from an eyewitness statement that a daughter of Marai from Kadi got injured during the firing exchange and was later known to have succumbed to death. With no empathy and fear, the militant even used firewood and knife to harmless and helpless damsel, lad, women and elderly ones before releasing a bullets. Some are even burn along with their houses while some were forcefully pulled out from their hideouts, tortured and then killed. In all, the number of deceased and casualties at the time of the incident was 17(Deceased) and 4(Severely injured) respectively. More so, the death tolled claimed due to the epidemic in the aftermath of the Attack was 18 in number.

Two-hour aftermath of the attack, possibly around 12 noon, the 21st AR along with O.C police accompanied by Kuki prominent leaders, Church leaders and neighbouring villagers arrived at the spot with clothes and utensils to help the helpless and to comfort the villagers. Meanwhile, the O.C and several officers inspected the situations. There were chaos and horrific scene witness as most of the survivals had lost their love and dear ones. Blood flooded in the village, helpless cries were heard all over. The death bodies were gather at one place and for each of those who survived the ethnic cleansing, the sun appears to be faded and everywhere was dark and grim. After a long talk and negotiation, the casualties were carried by the AR truck and were rushed to hospital while the remaining villagers were taken to T. Waichong Refugee camp. On the other hand, the village chief and his cabinets including handful of village head men in the presence of O.C Police conducted with full honor and dignified funeral services for all the deceased in the later hour of that evening. 

Such was an unfortunate, undesirable and unforgettable,(U3), incident happened to the innocent people of Gelnal, Joupi and  other affected Kuki Villages that every responsible citizen of today’s modern age should acknowledged the 13th September as a mourning day for the innocent people of Kuki who laid down their lives for the causes of Unity and Peace to the people of Manipur. This of U3 incident that had created a new chapter in the History of Tribals in Manipur shall be told so long as Integrity of the state is CONCERN.