HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 17: Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong observed the 19th Black Day on Thursday, marking the anniversary of the massacre of 41 people at Charchim-Presek, West Karbi Anglong, on October 17, 2005.
The day has been declared a holiday to commemorate this horrific act, which occurred during the Dimasa-Karbi ethnic clash and was carried out by suspected Dimasa militants.
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Alongside members of the victims’ families, the general public, social organizations, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), led by chief executive member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang, remembered the victims by lighting candles and praying for their eternal peace.
Accompanying the CEM were Autonomous Council member Avijit Kro, KAAC executive member Mangal Sing Timung, MLA Rupsing Teron, and others.
On this occasion, the CEM stated, “It is a Black Day for the Karbis, as the Dimasa militants killed 41 individuals. The victims were cremated and buried in one area, which has become a memorial site today.”
“As per the memorandum submitted by the Charchim-Prisek Observation Committee requesting land for constructing a memorial site, the site is currently under reserve forest, and land cannot be allocated. However, the KAAC will initiate the construction of memorial columns for each of the 41 victims in the next financial year (2025-26) under State Owned Priority Development (SOPD) funds. The place will be maintained by the Forest Department,” he added.
The CEM invoked the Karbi deities Hemphu, Mukrang, and Rasinja, asking them to prevent such incidents from occurring again and to protect the Karbi people. He emphasised the importance of unity as the Karbis continue on their path of development, with the blessings of these deities.
Various student, youth, and women’s organisations in Diphu town also joined in the observation of the 19th Black Day at their offices and different locations throughout the town.
Auto-rickshaw drivers at the Birla Auto-rickshaw stand expressed their condolences by lighting candles at Birla Market. Community members also came out to mourn the victims by lighting candles in front of their homes.
Meanwhile, The Hills Times office in Diphu also observed National Mourning Day by lighting candles in front of the office.
In Bokajan, the Assam Jatiyatabadi Juva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) remembered the victims by lighting candles, burning incense, offering floral tributes, and praying for them at their AJYCP office at 6 PM.
The AJYCP program was attended by executive member Jitu Phukon, Karbi Lammet Amei Advisor Barim Engti, Horen Engti, and Waisong Terang.
