TULAI KHAWVEL LEH ZAKAI ~ Pastor Thangdoulal Suantak

 

“Tuachiin Zakai a ding a, Toupa kiang ah, “Toupa, en in! ka dangka kimkhat mi gentheite kiang ah ka pia diing a, tualeh mi neihsa khat peuh diklou tak a ka lak a om leh alehli in ka din diing,” achi hi. Chih thu Lk. 19:8 na a i muhna uh pansiik in i nei diing uh hi.

I Bible uah mi tuamtuamte tanchin na kigelh a, huateng lak ah Zakai tanchin pen, mi zousiah theih phial ahih ngei diing ka gingta a, hitalezong a tanchin thuukzaw a zonkhiat diing dan i thei tuankei uh hi.

Amah ahihleh Juda mi ahi a, pianken a mi taangpite saang a neuzaw leh mi din saangloutak ahi. Amin omzia or khiatna ahihleh, Fel/ Siangthou/ Genbaanglou chihte hi dan in siamna leh theihna saang neite’n a gen uh hi. Tualeh Amin khiatna ahoih mahbang in a amah zong a mi hoih mahmah hi, chi a gen minthang in zong a om hi. Tualeh Amah pen Jeriko khua a teeng leh Jeriko bialsung a siah dongte sappa, tax collector officer ahi.

Zakai in Jesu Khrist tanchin a na zaa ngaita a, hilezong mimaltak a a muh nailouh ziak in muh sam diing a sawm hi. Hichih hunlai in Jesu leh a nungzuite Jeriko khua kan a, a hung pai diing uh thuthang a na zaa kha hi. Tualeh ama’n mipi tamtakte kawmkal a, a muh theih diing a gintatlouh ziak leh muthei diing a a kitheih louh ziak in theipi kung ah kah in a na tuang hi. Ama mi hihna diktak kitheichiantak kawm a Jesu Khrist muh sam diing a tupna ah, a suanhuai mahmah hi.

Tuachi a Zakai omna mun a Jesu Khrist a hung tuntak in, “Zakai,kintak in hung kum in, tu ni a na inn a hung tung diing ka hi,” a chi hi. Tuachiin a singkung tuanna theipi kung a kipan in, Zakai zong, kintak in a kumsuk a, tuachiin Jesu leh a nungzuite Zakai inn ah a zintung uh hi. Officer khat inn a zintung na na na chu, neek leh dawn a lim in a nuam mahmah kha diing in a gintaat huai hi.

Hichibang silte mipite’n a muhtak un, “Mi khialte inn a zintung diing in a pai tave!” chi in a na phunsan uh hileh kawm hi. Ama’un a na lam-etna dan uh ahihleh Siampu lalte leh Pasian nna semtute inn lak a, a zintun diing uh dan a, a na lam-etlai un, mipite khasana (lei-man) khawm a, nekguukna a hausa a, a ngaihsut uh Zakai inn a a va tun pen lamdang a sa ua, theihsiam haksa a sa uh hi. Hilezong Jesu’n “Midiktatte sam diing a hung pai ka hikei a, mikhialte sam a kisiksak diing a hung pai ka hizaw hi,” a chihbang in, Zakai kiang a a zintunna tungtawn in, hih leitung a a hung paina ziakte, mi khial leh vakvaite a diing a hung pai a hihnate a kilangsak a, tualeh hih thu mah zong, Zakai kiang a a houlimna ahih diing a gintaat huai hi.

Tuachiin Zakai a ding a, Toupa kiang ah, “Toupa, en in! ka dangka kimkhat mi gentheite kiang ah ka pia diing a, tualeh mi neihsa khat peuh diklou tak a ka lak a om leh alehli in ka din diing,” chi in Jesu leh a nungzuite kiang ah thu a chiam ngam hi; hichibang thuchiam pen lamdang leh chi zaat huai khop ahi a, a thupi mahmah hi.

Tuachiang in Jesu’n a kiang ah, “Tuni in hih inn ah hutdamna a tungta hi, amah zong Abraham tapa ahihziak in,” a chita a, a thupi mahmah mai hi. Hibang a a kihoulim lai uh leh, hih thute a kigenlai un, Jesu nungzuite’n a khutte uh a na beeng diing bang un, a gintaak huai phialphial hi.

Awle, tuni a Zakai tanchin tungtawn a i gen nuam pen uh ahihleh, tullai khovel ah, neekguukna (corruption) a kithang mahmah mai a, neekguuk na utkei leh state solkal nna na sep louh diing ahi, chi a kigenna zong om hileh kilawm hi. Hih Neekguukna pen, bangchi beisak diing e? chiin in thu i na kikum kha ngai thamta diing un a gintaak huai hi; hilezong a bei taktak theikei hi.

India mi Anna Hazare in, India Parliament liing khop zen in, an ngawl in, corruption douna diing daan-le-dunte zom diing in a phuut a, tualeh India gam a mipi tamtakte’n zong lemsakpih in amah a zom uh hi. Hitalezong a ki-hahgen dan leh, a kipuaknat dan bang in, a phatuam daan in a kilang thei taktak kei hi. Tualeh sum-le-paai a gin-omna taaksapnate ziak in, gam tampi a lamkaite zong paikhiat a na hi ngaita uh hi; Hichibang in state solkal tuamtuamte ah zong, Chief Minister-te leh Minister dangte zong, neekguukna ziak a suspend tampi i nei maithei diing uh hi.

I gentaaksa mahbang un, Zakai pen siah dongte sappa hitalezong, mi nuainung zaw deuhte siah a ne guu taktak na diam? A na neguu ahihtaak lezong a lehli a din kiik diing a, a ki-huamna pen etton taak mahmah hi. I Khristian gam a Solkal nna semtute’n zong, diklou tak a na neguu kha i hihtaak ua ahihleh, Zakai bang a a lehli a dit diing i ngam taktak na diam? chih ngaihsut tham chingtak hi in ka thei a, tualeh ei pawl a pen, Jesu nei kawmkawm a neguu zong ki-om a deh aw, chih ngaihsutna bang a tam mahmah hi. Hih Ditna in a gen ut pipen ahihleh, tawpsanna ahi. Hichibang ahihziak in, ei a hiloute khoih louh ngamna, haangsanna nei a, i Toupa Jesu Khrist in, “Tuni in hih inn ah, hutdamna a tungta hi,” a chih pen, i chihpih theih sam na diing ua Khrist a, kibulpat thak thei diing in i Toupa Jesu Khrist hehpihna thupha in hung ompih chiatta hen.

-o-

 

 

ITLF rejects dialogue with Manipur CM Biren

Press Note, 26 June 2023:  The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) rejects any offer of dialogue with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and will not hold talks in any form with his government.

The CM’s intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah comes too late. After the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and the untold hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo tribals, there is no point in talking about peace without a political solution.

Around 106 tribals have been killed, 201 villages burnt, over 5000 houses burnt and 355 churches destroyed, while 41,425 tribals have been displaced by the conflict. We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis.

N. Biren Singh, the perpetrator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred for the Kuki-Zo community resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace. All tribals and a large section of his own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government.

ITLF has held talks with various dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where Kuki-Zo tribals have voiced our demands including our political aspiration of total separation from Manipur. Our political demand is in sync with the demand of our 10 MLAs and other CSO groups. 

The ITLF has exhausted our avenues for dialogue, and it is now crucial for the Government of India to concentrate on finding a solution to our political demand as soon as possible to bring lasting peace in Manipur.

The ITLF also urges all CSOs and tribe leaders from the Kuki-Zo community to maintain unity and not to participate in any form of dialogue with the CM and his administration. If anyone is known to be in contact with the state government, stringent action will be taken as necessary.

Ginza Vualzong, Media & Publicity ,

Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF)

Email: itlfmediacell@gmail.com | Phone: 8826532299

Office: 203, LMC, Lamka, Outer Manipur.

-o-

 

Manipur Violence: Tribal Statistics Updates (25-06-2023)

Confirmed Death = 106

Injured = 277

Villages Burnt = 201

Churches & Quarters Burnt = 355

Displaced Peoples = 41425

~ ITLF Media Cell

Manipur Violence: 12 KYKL Cadres arrested in Imphal east Operations

ACTING on specific intelligence, operation was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East by Security Forces today morning. Specific search after laying cordon was undertaken to avoid hardships to other locals in the area. In the ensuing operation, 12 KYKL cadres were apprehended alongwith arms, ammunition and War like stores. 

Positive Identification of Self Styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam (Mastermind of 6 DOGRA ambush case of 2015) amongst the 12 apprehended cadres was done. 

Mob of approximately 1200- 1500 led by women & the local leader immediately surrounded the target area and prevented Security Forces from going ahead with the operation. Repeated appeals to the aggresive mob to let the Security Forces carry on with operation as per law did not yield any positive result. 

Keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, considered decision was taken to hand over all 12 cadres to local leader. Own Columns lifted the cordon and left the area with weapons and War Like Stores recovered from insurgents. 

Mature decision on part of Operational Commander shows humane face of the Indian Army to avoid any collateral damage during the ongoing unrest in Manipur.

#IndianArmy appeals to the people of Manipur to assist the Security Forces in maintaining law and order to bring peace and stability

Source: SpearCorps.IndianArmy@Spearcorps  [Dated. 24 June, 2023]

 https://twitter.com/Spearcorps/status/1672673343953334272

Pherzawl Forest Office Set on Fire to Protest State-Sponsored Ethnic Cleansing of Tribals

Pherzawl, June 24, 2023: The Divisional Forest Office in Pherzawl, the district headquarters of Pherzawl District, was set on fire this morning at around 7:30 am in protest against the "Manipur state-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign" against the tribals.

The office recently completed, but non-functional, was totally destroyed, according to sources.

The district is inhabited by the Hmar tribe which belongs to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of tribes.

Locals also said that signboards with 'Manipur' have been erased from all state government offices and replaced with 'Mizoram'.

VIDEO

The tribals said they have no options left, but to seek a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory or merge with Mizoram.

Manipur violence: Coffin Rally held in Lamka (Pics & Videos)

1. A silent rally (coffin rally) was organized on Saturday 24 June 2023 by the joint student body in Lamka (formerly known as Churachandpur) to mourn and commemorate Kuki-Zo tribals who have died in the ethnic conflict in Manipur.

2. The rally started at the District Hospital morgue, from where tens of thousands of participants  dressed in black clothes marched silently for 3 km on the highway to Peace Ground in Tuibong near Lamka district’s mini secretariat.

3. Participants carried 100 dummy coffins to represent the more than 100 tribals who have died in the present conflict.

4. Every village located en route conducted a gun salute to the deceased with single-barrel guns as the rally passed through their locality.

5. A specific protest site has been built near the mini secretariat to be used during the conflict.

6. All the dummy coffins have been placed at the protest site.

7. After the rally, the program at the protest site started with representatives of the joint women body and the families of the deceased placing wreaths on the coffins.

8. Opening speech and prayer were conducted by Rev S. Vunminthang.

9. Lament songs were sung by the old folks.

10. Survival story narrated by one of the victims of the violence.

11. Speech made by the convenor of the joint student body, which organized the rally.

12. The congregation of thousands of people was not deterred by the rain that lashed the protest site.

VIDEO

~  ITLF MEDIA CELL | 24 June 2023

St Joseph's University Helpline for the Victims of Manipur Violence

 

Manipur violence: NAMTA submits Memo to PM Modi on US visit

 

NORTH AMERICAN MANIPUR TRIBAL ASSOCIATION (NAMTA)

 1302 East Collins Boulevard, Suite 111, Richardson, TX 75081

 namta.us | admin@namta.us

June 22^nd, 2023

 Shri Narendra Modi Ji

Embassy of India

2107 Massachusetts Ave NW

Washington DC 20008

Subject: Urgent Memorandum on the Plight of Kuki-Zomi 

Tribes in Manipur Dear Honorable Prime Minister,

We, the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), write this memorandum to bring to your attention the critical situation faced by the minority Kuki-Zomi tribes in Manipur. With deep concern, we highlight the challenges they currently endure, necessitating immediate action from your government.

 

The minority Kuki-Zomi tribes in Manipur, are facing attacks from radical elements of the majority Meitei community, namely Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun. Since May 3^rd 2023, over 6,100 tribal homes have been burned and looted, 350 churches set ablaze and more than 115 villages attacked in the extended Imphal valley. Over a hundred lives have been lost, some brutally tortured, immolated, or subjected to rape. Many have been severely injured, and numerous individuals remain missing. More than 35,000 tribals have been displaced, and removed from Imphal which constitutes ethnic cleansing.

Regrettably, Chief Minister Biren Singh’s government has been unable to quell the violence. The Meitei attackers impersonate security forces, brandishing weapons looted from government armories or obtained from Manipuri police. Allegedly, ground-reports say Manipur security forces have either stood idly by or even participated in the violence. These incidents have resulted in severe human rights violations, including the right to reside in one’s ancestral homeland, freedom of religion and belief, the right to life, physical integrity, freedom of movement and residence, the right to security, and the prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment.

 

Considering these grave circumstances, NAMTA respectfully requests the following from your government:

 1)     Declare President’s Rule in the state of Manipur to provide impartial support for all essential services and security to all communities – tribals and non-tribals alike.

 2)     Constitute a Justice Committee from civil society in Manipur and neutral third-party personalities well- respected by all sides to account for every victim’s loss and thereby bring about peace.

 3)     Establish a separate administration for the Kuki-Zomi tribes under provisions mentioned in the Constitution of India.

We, at NAMTA, hold unwavering trust in your commitment and ability to safeguard human rights. Respectfully,

NAMTA and Members

  Contact: admin@namta.us https://namta.us/

 

Manipur violence: NAMTA appeals US prez Biden

North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) 

1302 East Collins Boulevard, Suite 111

Richardson, TX 75081 

https://namta.us/

June 12, 2023

The President of the United States of America, Joseph R Biden  

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500-0003 
United States of America

June 12, 2023

Subject: Appeal to President Biden to take cognizance of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and human rights violations in Manipur, India, and relay concerns to Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his state visit to the U.S.

 

Dear President Biden:

The North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) would like to draw your serious and immediate attention to the ongoing ethnic conflict and humanitarian crisis in Manipur, India.

Specifically, we want to make an earnest appeal to you to take cognizance of the ongoing human rights violations of the Christian minority Kuki-Zomi tribes in Manipur, India. We believe that the United States is deeply committed to championing the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights driven by the founding values of our nation and the conviction that international peace, security, and prosperity are strengthened when human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and protected. We appeal to you and your office to reinforce America’s continued commitment to justice by living up to its ideals at home and meeting its international human rights obligations.

 

The ethnic clashes began on May 3, 2023, between the non-tribal Meiteis and the Kuki-Zomi tribes as a consequence of long-drawn contestation over access to land and resources and the Meiteis long-pending demand for ‘Schedule Tribe’ status (ST) (‘affirmative action’) that the Constitution of India entitles to marginalized communities to benefits in jobs, educational institutions, and greater administrative autonomy, among other constitutional protections. While the largely Hindu Meitei community form about 60% of Manipur’s over 3.1 million population and mostly resides in the state capital of Imphal, the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zomi tribes constitute 25% of the population and mostly inhabit the hilly regions. The tribals have historical and ancestral relationships with the hills and are the traditional stewards of these forest lands.

Due to unequal power relations, the tribals are structurally disadvantaged because they lack access to social, cultural, and economic capital vis-a-vis the Meiteis.

 

As of June 12, 2023, over 100 lives have been lost, over 300 people injured, over 200 churches burned and desecrated, thousands of homes razed to the ground, and as many as 40,000 civilians have been internally displaced. While both the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities have suffered

losses due to the ethnic conflict, the Kuki-Zomis minorities have been unequivocally and disproportionately placed at the receiving end of the violence in terms of casualties, deaths, destruction of homes, properties, and forcible displacement. Furthermore, Kuki-Zomi women, children, and the elderly have experienced gender-based violence and atrocities through rapes, sexual assaults, immolation, and murders by Meitei vigilante groups comprising men and women.

 

Witness and survivor accounts allege that radicalized Meitei militia groups, such as the ‘Arambai Tenggol’ and the ‘Meitei Leepun,’ that operate under the pretext of cultural organizations are the masterminds behind the brutal violence perpetrated against the Kuki-Zomi people. Highly placed security personnel confirm that about 4000 weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition have been looted from various police stations in the capital city of Imphal, indicating alarming levels of state complicity in the perpetration of unprovoked attacks against Kuki-Zomi villages and ‘volunteers’ defending them. Witness and survivor accounts allege that radicalized Meitei militia groups, such as the ‘Arambai Tenggol’ and the ‘Meitei Leepun,’ that operate under the pretext of cultural organizations are the masterminds behind the brutal violence perpetrated against the Kuki-Zomi people. Highly placed security personnel confirm that about 4000 weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition have been looted from various police stations in the capital city of Imphal, indicating alarming levels of state complicity in the perpetration of unprovoked attacks against Kuki-Zomi villages and ‘volunteers’ defending them. In fact, the Meitei Leepun leader, Pramot Singh, has brazenly invoked a genocide threat against the Kuki-Zomi people in an interview with a veteran journalist, Karan Thapar, on national TV with unhinged impunity, indirectly incriminating the majoritarian state machinery and its patronage of Meitei militias.

 

Given the severity and urgency of the matter, we urge you to actively engage with the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, during his state visit on behalf of the

U.S. Many of our Kuki-Zomi immigrants from Manipur are law-abiding citizens, taxpayers, voters, lawful permanent residents, workers, or students. We have families, relatives, and friends killed, hurt, displaced, and rendered homeless due to the ongoing violence, and they continue to struggle for basic human rights-- the right to life and liberty.

 

We at NAMTA hold unwavering trust in the United States’ commitment to continuing its efforts to be a strong advocate for all people, nationally and globally, who suffer from discrimination, abuse, and oppression and a stalwart defender of justice on behalf of the unjustly persecuted. We also request your office, if possible, to appeal to the American embassies in India and affiliated stakeholders to assist in providing immediate humanitarian aid and assistance to the internally displaced Kuki-Zomi communities of Manipur, whose lives and livelihood continue to hang in the balance.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to hearing from your office with great anticipation. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information or documentation.

 

With immense hope and gratitude,

 

Members of the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA)

Sources and news coverage of the Manipur ethnic conflict:

 

-          “A Rising India Is Also, in One Remote Pocket, a Blood-Soaked War Zone.” The New York Times. June 9, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/world/asia/india- manipur-conflict.html

-          “Meitei ‘Pride’ Group’s Threat—‘Kukis Mainly Illegal, Modi Must Intervene Or There’ll Be Civil War.’” The Wire with Karan Thapar. June 6, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDJnPewUhmU

-          “Manipur: Over 4,000 weapons snatched from armouries, Army ready with combing operation plan.” Deccan Herald. June 2, 2023. https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/manipur-over-4000-weapons- snatched-from-armouries-army-ready-with-combing-operation-plan-1224316.html

-          CBI to probe if violence in Manipur was pre-planned. The Hindu, June 9, 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-to-probe-six-cases-hm-asks-naga-mlas-to- help-bridge-meitei-kuki-divide/article66947338.ece

-          “1 month into Manipur violence, death toll rises to 98; at least 310 injured, over 4k cases of arson.” The Indian Express. June 3, 2023. https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east- india/manipur/manipur-violence-death-toll-injured-8643494

-          “Our Daughters Were Killed in Imphal on May 5. We Haven’t Even Been Able to Retrieve Their Bodies.” Paotinthang Hangsing & Paolien Chongloi. The Wire. May 29, 2023. https://thewire.in/rights/manipur-imphal-violence-daughters-killed

-          “Manipur: 7-Yr-Old Boy, His Mother and Neighbour Killed as Mob Sets Ambulance on Fire.” The Wire. June 7, 2023. https://thewire.in/security/manipur-7-yr-old-boy-his- mother-and-neighbour-killed-as-mob-sets-ambulance-on-fire

-          “How Fake News Created Pretexts to Lynch Kuki-Zo Women in Manipur.” NewsClick. June 1, 2023. https://www.newsclick.in/how-fake-news-created-pretexts- lynch-kuki-zo-women-manipur

-          “IDs checked, skull cracked, ‘dumped alive’ in mortuary — 3 Kuki survivors recount Manipur mob horror.” Sonal Matharu. The Print. June 1, 2023. https://theprint.in/india/ids-checked-skull-cracked-dumped-alive-in-mortuary-3-kuki- survivors-recount-manipur-mob-horror/1604886/

-          “Can still feel the blows...Imphal murdered my family’: Manipur violence survivor recalls escape.” Newslaundry. June 1, 2023. https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/06/01/can-still-feel-the-blowsimphal-murdered-my- family-manipur-violence-survivor-recalls-escape

-          “Manipur Violence: Eyewitness Accounts | Students of Manipur University Tell Their Stories on News18.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbH6zSdk-8&t=2s.

-          “Survivors’ Stories: ‘…they paraded them naked’-B Phainom Village, Kangpokpi district, Manipur.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADlcoheNL8.

-          “Survival Story | English Subtitles | Agnes Neikhohat | Manipur Crisis,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHIdYYuWeBY

-          “Students recount how they escaped stick-wielding rioters in the Manipur University campus.” The Telegraph. May 10, 2023. https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/students- recount-how-they-escaped-stick-wielding-rioters-in-the-manipur-university- campus/cid/1935630

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