Hundreds of individuals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community convened in Kangpokpi District for a poignant candlelight march. Their purpose was to express solidarity and mourn the lives lost in the recent devastating terrorist attack that occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The silent procession commenced from Nute Kailhang and proceeded towards Brig M Thomas Ground, tracing a path along National Highway 2. Each participant held aloft a flickering candle, symbolizing both remembrance of the fallen and the enduring spirit of resilience within the community. The collective sentiment of the marchers was powerfully encapsulated in their central message: “We Mourn Together. We Rise Together. We Carry Their Light.”
Akki Kipgen, a participant in the solemn demonstration, articulated the profound significance of the vigil. “We didn’t just bring candles tonight,” Kipgen stated with conviction. “We brought a promise — that we will not allow their sacrifice to fade into oblivion, and that even in the face of such brutal violence, our spirit will remain unbroken.”
This act of collective mourning follows the recent tragic incident in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, where at least 26 tourists tragically lost their lives in a brutal attack. The Kuki-Zo community’s response underscores a deep sense of shared humanity and national unity.
“Their pain resonates deeply within us. Their families are now intertwined with ours in grief. If we permit the suffering in one corner of our nation to be ignored, a day will come when the entire nation will be steeped in sorrow,” Kipgen poignantly added, highlighting the interconnectedness of the nation’s collective well-being.
Another participant, who identified himself only as Hegou, emphasized the transcending nature of their grief, reaching beyond regional boundaries. “As proud citizens of India, we, the Kuki-Zo community, feel the profound anguish of those who have been bereaved,” he expressed. “Our presence here today is not merely an act of mourning, but a testament to our shared sorrow and empathy.”
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), the representative body of the Kuki-Zo community, released an official statement unequivocally condemning the attack, denouncing it as a “barbaric act” of violence. The committee’s statement firmly rejected any ideologies that espouse terrorism, violence, or religious intolerance.
“The Kuki-Zo community stands resolutely against ideologies that propagate violence and hatred,” the CoTU asserted in their statement. “Such destructive ideologies have no place in our world, most certainly not within a democratic nation like India.”
Furthermore, the committee implored the central government to take immediate and decisive action to combat terrorism, framing the Pahalgam attack not as an isolated regional tragedy, but as a direct assault on the very foundation of national unity.
“This horrific act is not confined to one region — it is an assault on the collective spirit of our nation. It is an attack on our shared peace, on the principles of our democracy, and on the very essence of our unity,” Hegou passionately conveyed during the vigil, echoing the sentiments of the community.