Why I Cannot Celebrate KUT 2015.

Kut Festival is the premiere festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. Also known as the “CHAVANG KUT”, it is one of the main festivals of Manipur and is celebrated with great fervor and zest. It is celebrated every year on November 1 throughout the state with a main event at 1st Bn. Manipur Rifles. Kut Festival is an autumn festival and marks the ending of the harvest season. It is also a thanksgiving and prayers are offered for a bountiful harvest season and prosperity of the people. Since time immemorial our forefathers celebrated this festival as a token of their happiness for good harvest and good tidings amongst their community.

My conscience does not allow me to have any kind of celebration that coincides with mourning and at this very juncture when the dead bodies of our TRIBAL MARTYRS are lying cold at Churachandpur District Hospital waiting for their glorious last funeral rites. The one who plays a major role in killing us is the one sponsoring the expenses for this celebration. Hence, I feel unethical and in contrast to my belief to organise or celebrate a social festival this year.

In solidarity to our bereavement, The Thazing Lap Committee cancelled their State level Thazing Lap celebration this year. Zillai Imphal block has also indefinitely postponed the Zillai Imphal Block Post Platinum Celebration. Mizoram Presbytarian Church Synod (Manipur Area) also cancelled the Manipur Area joint Presbytery (khawmpi). The Hmar Youth Association, Imphal Joint Headquarter resolved in their meeting not to organise their annual festival 'SIKPUIRUOI' this year. The Thadou Inpi, General Headquarters had unanimously decided to observe ‘Sahnit Kum’ –A year of mourning to show solidarity and respects to tribal Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their ancestral land and the victims of Joumol landslide.

Lastly but not the least, I won't be able to rejoice to have Manipur Dy. CM, Gaikhanngam, who was being boycott by the JACs (who earned the support of Tribal Apex bodies) and Chief Minister, O. Ibobi (a mammoth in the passing of the 3 anti-Tribal bills) if they ever were assigned the role of Chief Guests in the event. (This last para needs a re-look. It will be updated when the programme comes to the notice of the public. In previous years celebrations, dignitaries like the Governors, Chief Ministers were the Chief Guests).

Related:

http://reviewne.com/kut-festival-manipur

http://www.virthli.in/2014/10/manipur-state-level-chavang-kut-live.html
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/page/items/35710/chandel-district-level-kut-celebration-2015
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=26..011114.nov14

Enlarged 09/11/2015: Shri O. Ibobi, Chief Minister, Shri Gaikhanngam Dy.CM and Shri Phungzathang, Minsiter are the Chief Guest, Functional President and Chief Host at this year's SLK Celebration 2015 respectively! All other Cabinet Ministers will be the Guest of Honour. Shri GS Haopu is the Chairman of the SLKC 2015.

KUT 2015 Minutes of State Level KUT Committee for 2015

Program for KUT 2015 Celebration

Donations for KUT Celebration 2015

Young Vaiphei Association resolved not to participate in the coming Kut celebration.
The Young Vaiphei Association Imphal Joint HQ and Zillai Imphal Block in its meeting today resolved not to participate in the coming KUT celebration in any forms, in view of the present situation faced by the tribals and as a gesture of respect to the 9 tribal Martytrs. Any kind of celebration at the time of mourning is contrary to the Vaiphei or Zo culture. YVA/ZILLAI members have always celebrated KUT in heart and soul every year, however the two bodies felt that celebrating festivals at this juncture is most peculiar and untimely.
The two bodies also appealed to all state and local levels KUT committee not to organize KUT at this juncture. The bodies also appealed to all other ZILLAI/YVA blocks and units not to make or participate in any kind of celebration until the dead bodies of the 9 martyrs are kept in rest.
ZILLAI/YVA while making this statement has appreciated Thazing Lap Committee for cancelling the State level Thazing Lap celebration this year. It also appreciate Mizoram Presbytarian Church Synod (Manipur Area) for cancelling the Manipur Area joint Presbytery (khawmpi).
In view of the present situation the Zillai Imphal block has also indefinitely postponed the Zillai Imphal Block Post Platinum Celebration.
Sd -
James Henneimang,
Secy, YVA Imphal Jt. HQ
P. Haulai, 
President, Zillai Imphal Block
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmar Youth Association, Imphal Joint Headquarter, Imphal, Manipur.
PRESS STATEMENT
The Hmar Youth Association, Imphal Joint Headquarter resolved in its meeting not to organise the annual festival 'SIKPUIRUOI' this year. From time immemorial our forefathers celebrated this festival when there is a good harvest and good tidings for the tribe. However, this year it would be unethical and in contrast to our belief to organise or celebrate a social festival at this juncture when the dead bodies of the 'tribal martyrs' are still lying and their last funeral rites are yet to be performed. For the similar reason all members are requested not to participate in the comming KUT celebration in any form.
Sd/-
Thangthatling Sinate
President
Sd/-
Zorisang Thiek
Secretary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/page/items/58102/year-of-mourning

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/page/items/58097/no-to-kut-fest