IMPHAL: The United Naga Council (UNC), apex body of Nagas, on Sunday alleged that 'Sahnit-Ni' (Kuki Black Day) observed by Kuki National Organization at Churachandpur recently exposed the "hollow[ness] of the Kuki movement to the outside world".Various Kuki bodies of the state had observed the 25th Sahnit-Ni for three days at Churachandpur district headquarters to mourn and pray for hundreds of Kukis who were killed by the NSCN (IM) in the nineties. Nearly one thousand innocent Kukis were reportedly killed and 360 Kuki villages massacred by the NSCN (IM) in the period between 1992 to 1997.The publicity wing of UNC issued a statement on Sunday, criticizing the KNO. The statement said the Nagas' struggle for self-determination and political recognition has been going on for half a century, to forge a distinct nation for the Nagas. "The movement is basically a struggle for forging a national and political identity for the Nagas. However, KNO and its associates took up arms against the Naga people just to follow a hollow dream of creating a Kuki homeland within Naga territory," the statement said.The statement further said KNO followed a flawed policy, leading to widespread confrontations between the Kukis and the Nagas and causing huge casualties on both sides. "KNO incited innocent Kukis to fight against Nagas and many precious lives were lost as a result of the clashes," it added.KNO and its associates adopted a policy which led to the political tension and clashes, it said, adding that KNO president PS Haokip should shoulder responsibility in case of any untoward incident now.

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