INPUI: Hmar News & Info

By L.Keivom, Inpui.Com Columnist

Kha hmaa ka hung phor langhai kha trum khatah ni hnih ni thum diary inkop dam a ni a. Tuta trum ruok chu khawvela ni poimaw pakhat, film hmingthang le hlawtling Born on the Fourth of July (1989) khom an siem hiel, USA-a an Independence Day a ni bok a. Chuleiin, hi ni chauha ka diary ei hung tar lang ding a nih.

July 4, 1997, Friday, Churachandpur

Got up at 5 which, in Churachandpur standard, is neither early nor late as it is atleast 3-4 hours ahead of Delhi though the same Indian standard time is used (IST is also derisively nicknamed by some as Indian stupid time perhaps for the lack of respect shown by VIPs when attending public functions). The distance between Churachandpur and Hanoi (Vietnam) by air is nearer than Churachandpur to Delhi. This being so, it is ridiculous to enforce one standard time zone for the whole of India. USA has four time zones

At 0800 hrs we proceeded to Saidan, visiting on the way, first my immediate brother’s daughter Mina L. Pari whom I named at Tuibuong (she’s the wife of Minlianthang who suffered from serious burnt injuries); my eldest brother U Khawtinkung and my immediate elder brother Kamzabiek at Khawmawi and many other relatives and friends. At Saidan, we visited first my eldest surviving sister U Dotling at her new residence (Thanghrim’s house) and gave her Rs. 1000/- and then U Hrangthatlur’s house where my eldest daughter Margaret Thangmawi was born. The house which had thatched roof in my last visit was now roofed with C.I. Sheets and most of the children, all boys, got married and lived independently. Saidan remained basically as backward as before and the canal dug right across the street remained unutilized, displaying how insensitive and myopic the concerned authorities had been by allowing such a diabolic thing to happen.

Brunch at Khawmawi at U Kamzabiek’s house at 1100 hrs. After meal, we were not allowed to proceed to Churachandpur town as curfew was imposed from 1200 hrs. Fortunately, Minister Chaltonlien’s security convey arrived and we went along with them. This was the first time I met Chaltonlien face to face.

We stopped over at the Police Station where the Peace Committee and Mizoram Peace Mission had a meeting. I greeted them but did not participate at the discussions. In stead I headed right to U Rokung’s house to attend a meeting in my honour organized by the Hmar Arts and Culture Association (a new name of Hmar Cultural Society) of which L. Rokung was the Chairman and R. Tawna Khawbung the Secretary. Inter alia, we discussed about the cultural plot at Rengkai Road/Nehru Marg and its future development.

I requested them to consider 3 things: I was not in favour of dissecting the plot further in order to accommodate HYA’s request to build a hall from Rs. 1 lakh grant it received from DC. I gave the background history of how I had been opposing suggestions from Pu Rokung and others to sell part of the land to build up funds for the construction of a hall. In view of the fact that the plot is a national property and it is physically impossible to acquire such property, they should reconsider their earlier decision to accommodate HYA’s request; (b) We should construct a building along facing Nehru Marg, part of which can be used for a Library-cum-Museum and the rest for renting for shops which would earn regular income to pay the cost of running the Library and the Museum; (c)In order for us to approach the Central government for loans, we should draw up a blueprint of the building by hiring a professional architect who has some knowledge of creating library and museum facilities.

Later, Minister Chaltonlien joined us for a meal and we broke up at 1530 hours. From there I proceeded to Inspection Bungalow with Chatonlien to meet Mizoram Peace Mission. Only Pu Lawmkima was there when we arrived- Pu Chawngkunga and Zathruama having gone to the Police Station to sort out distribution of 2 truck-load of rice they brought with them as a token gift to victims of the ethnic clash. We therefore went down to join them at the Police Station but met them on the way at the start of the Tiddim Road and stopped them. Argument ensued as to how to distribute the rice as some group was objecting to the formula worked out before- to give one truck each to the Kukis and the Paites.

As such, we headed back to the Police Station and discussed the issue. Pu Zathruama was arguing about the wisdom of the formula worked out earlier as the number of refugees greatly varied. I also spoke, first saying that we should not go against the formula as equal distribution to the satisfaction of all was impossible, something even God could not do. Besides, the rice brought by Mizoram Peace Mission was a token gift and not a relief measure which should have been done by the Manipur Government and therefore we should not insist on how they distribute the rice. Pu Selkai Hranghcal and Pu Lawmkima also spoke in favour of the formula. Ultimately, it was decided to distribute the rice as earlier decided.

After this, Pu Chawngkunga reguested me to accompany him to visit the refugee camps. We first visited CRP/BSF Camp where 2710 Kuki refugees were being housed in makeshift tents. The inmates were mostly from Phailian and Bungmual villages. One of the inmates we met was a Jew with kippa on his head. Pu Chawngkunga interviewed him along with some other refugees.

From there, we visited three Paite refugee camps- (a) at Tiddim Road’s Convention Church compound adjacent to Lamka College; (b) at near football ground at the compound of Evangelical Convention; and (c) at Lower Lamka opposite the cemetery. I met a few Saikul victims at the second camp, two of them migrated from Saidan who knew me well. Most inmates in this camp were from Saikul, Tuithrapi and the suburbs of Churachandpur. It was doubtful all the inmates were direct victims of the ethnic clash.

At dusk, we reached the house of C.Thant (Lala Khobung’s younger brother) who killed a pig in my honour. We invited Mizoram Peace Mission Team and a few friend and they all came, including Pu Selkai Hrangchal who arrived dead drunk but did not make any nuisance as he slept through the meal in his seat.

At 8 pm we headed for Sielmat. The road was empty and silence reigned supreme because of curfew. Slept at Dr. Jacob Pudaite’s house. Thang Dailo and his wife Lalthrazo also joined us. Jacob and Zingi looked after us marvelously well. Jacob told me of his plan to come down to Delhi to head their Delhi Office and stay at Rochunga Pudaite’s flat at Delhi Police Apartment in Mayur Vihar One, a two-room partment he bought it from Pu Lalduhawma, an IPC officer turned politician for about Rs. 7 lakh. We were happy to hear of the plan as they were going to be our neighbor- our flat at Purvasha being a few blocks from Rochunga’s flat.

It’s a hectic day, a day worth remembering.

Hi Serial hi trum thuma zo ka tuma chu a zompui a la’n tieng hnŭr el leiin zona ding chun trum hni dang a la ngai el thei. A nawka chuh HPC thruoitu lu pahnih Imphal tienga ka thruoi thlak thu le ni thum sung zet pawlitiks fe pei dan ding chungchanga ka titipuina threnkhat ei hung phor lang ding a nih. (July 4, 2014 Friday, Delhi)

By Pu Zarzolien Keivom, New Delhi

Ni khat chu ka nuhmei leh ramtin ramtang hrilin kan hohlim a. Ama chun, “Isu lem an inchanga hai ku hin Isu hi a lawn thuok thuok a, thil trul lo a thaw le hril awm lo a hril hmu ding le hriet ding a um naw ngei maw” a hung ti a. Chu ruol ruol chun “To hun a um a, trong hun a um” ti Thuhriltu 3:7 thu hi ka nakawr bula mi hriltu um ang elin fie hlokin a mi deng a. To hun a ti chu ieng hun le khawlai hmun am ning a ta, trong hun a ti khom chu ieng hun le khawlai hmun hmun him ni tang a ta ti chu ka lungril le ngaituonaah a bo thei der dal a.

Eini Isu ringtu le a hniekhnung zuitu intihai hlak hi ei hmatok tokin ei inpawt a, ringtu baua suok awm lo tak tak dam ei sak suok a, to hun le trong hun ding hrim ei ngaituo ngai naw niin ka hriet a. Hi thu hi tisa le thisen inhriettirna el nia ka hriet naw leiin ka hun awl nei changin ka ngaituo zui nawk pei a. Chu taka inthoka ka thil hmu, ka lungrila inphumhai chu “thu chu taksain a hung inchang a, eini lai a hung um ta a,” ti ang deu khan an lang dan danin, mi khoma an lo tiem ve thei dingin a thren a zar bek a ka hung tar lang tum a nih.

Johan 8:1-11 ei tiem chun Dan zirtirtuhai le Farisaihai chun nuhmei a uire lai ngeia an man chu Isu kuomah an hung thruoi a, “Zirtirtu, hi nu hi a uire lai tak man a ni a, Mosie dan mi pek ang chun hieng ang nuhmei hi chu lunga deng hlum ding a na, nangin iengtin am i ngai a”? an ta. Isu chun a don el naw a, a kûn a, to trokin a kutparin hnuoiah thil a ziek a. An thil indon chu ama hĕkna ding an hmu theina dinga khal awk an tumna a nih ti a hriet a. Chuonga an hnaw sek lei chun a hang dak a, an kuomah “Nangni laia suol nei naw naw chun deng hmasa raw se” a ta, kunin totrokin hnuoi a ziek nawk a. A thu hril an hriet chun suol nei naw um nghal lo hai chu a upa taka inthoka tranin pakhat khatin an inrel hmang rip el a nih.

Isu khan to hun le trong hun kha ngaituo loin, Thuthlungthar hun an tah leiin Mosie dan pek cheu kha hmang thei ni ta naw nih dam hang ti pal hlau el ta sien chu, kalvari muol khom sir hman naw nih, a hmunah khan chilhlum nghal an ta, Pathien thil tum khom a hlawsam der el thei a ni aw! “Thu a ni dan ding ang taka hril suok hi tangkaruoa rangkachak mûm phŭm ang a nih” (Thuvarhai 25:11) ti a ei hmu angin Isu trongkam suokhai hi chu a ni dan ding ang thlap hi a ni vong el, hang belsa ding le peihawn ding hi a um naw top el a nih. To hunah a to trok trok a, trong hun le thaw hunah a’n tǐm ngai nawh.

Khawvela ei Lalpa Isu a hung leng laia a chet danhai kha ei en chun, to hun le tong hun kha a va hang hriet de aw! A fena tieng tieng khan hril hunah chu insûm dêr loin a hril pei a, kut thlak huna chu intîm der loin kut a thlak el a nih, Jerusalema tempul huong sunga thil zortuhai le inchawtuhai khom kha hruihruol invuokna a siem a, a hnot suok vong a, tangka thlengtuhai dawkan le parva zortuhai thrungna a nam thlukpek a. An kuomah, “Ka in chu trongtraina in ting an tih tih ti ziek a na, nangni ruok chun suomhmanghai pukah in siem lem hi’’ a ta, trong chuongtlai reng a hmang ngai nawh. A fena taphotah suol ngaidam theitu le sukdam theitu a ni zie trongbau le thilthawin a suklang pei a. Hi truma a thu hril hi chu a uor taluo deu an naw leh a hril intǐm deu hang ti ding hi a um naw top el a nih. Pilatin “Judahai lal i ni maw” ti an don khom khan “Ni e, i ti an nawm” ti bak kha chu a don naw top el a nih. Pilat khom khan a suolna ieng khom a hmu bik nawh, Eini hai ang nisien la chu a thiem thu hang inzawt a ta, Pilat khom khan insuo el a tih ti a trong bauhai a inthokin hriet theiin a um. To hunah to loin a thiem thu hang hril sei met sien la chu, Pilatin insuong a ta, Pathien thiltum a hlawsam dĕr el ding a ni leiin a trong da’l a nih. Eini khom thilthra thaw dinga Pathien kutsuokhai ei ni leiin to hun le trong hun Krista Isuah inchuk hlak inla chu, ei ram ei hnam le kohran lai Pathien thiltumhai chu sukpuitlingin um a ta, hieng lawm lawm hin tlaksamnain mi tlakbuok kher naw nih ti ring a um.

Nupa kara insel inhal le inthrĕna chen a tlungna san tam tak chu to hun le trong hun ei thre hran thei ngai naw lei a ni deu tak hlak niin an lang. Ei Lalpa Isu angin to hunah toin trong huna chau trong hlak inla chu nupa kara chau ni loin nau le tehai le kara chen inhrietthiem nawna tlawm lem ngei a tih ring a um. Eini rawi hi chu thiem lem ni inchuin a trûl lo chen chen hril ei ching a, trong chuongtlai hmangin khel chen ei hril sa rop hlak niin an lang bok. Pa lung a sen ta chun nuin amanih, nauin amanih to inchu hlakin la, chuong ang bokin pahai khoma nu lungril nat ding le nauhai nuor taluo ding vengin to inchu hun dam hi nei hlak inla chu, ei insungah Kristan inlalna chang a ta, Debol chun hmun chang ngai naw ni a, ei sungkuo nunah Pathien thiltum chu sukpuitlingin um hlak a ta, malsawmna khom dong tam lem ngei ei tih ti ring a um. Sam 133:1-3 a ei hmu angin, lung inruol taka unau cheng khawm diel dielhai chu a mawiin dit a um a, “Chutaka chun malsawmna Lalpan a’n tlungtir hlak a, kumkhuoa hringna ding chu” tiin a lo hril kha.

To hun le trong hun ei hriet naw leiin ei hnam ei sosaiti le kohranin nasa takin siet ei tuok pha tah a, a por khom a nasa hle tah ti hi ei ngaisak nuom der naw niin an lang. A tho kang thei a muol khom ei um ta naw a, ei thil hmu dan khom ku hi mitdel parukhai sai hmu dan ang el niin a’n lang, Pakhatin a phing a them a, bang a hoi a ta, a ngho a them pa chun fei a hoi a ti nawk a, a ngawn them pa chun rul a hoi a ti a, a khup them pa chun thingkung a hoi a ti a, a nakawr them pa chun hmaizap a hoi a ti a, a mei them pa chun hrui a hoi a ti a. An sai tawk chin nina angpui chu an hril dik seng a, sai angpui ruok chu an hril dik naw seng. Chuong ang bokin eini rawi khom mani kohran ei inkhina hmol sengah an dik seng thei, Pathien kohran nina indik tak ruok chu eiin khi indik naw deu vong el thei a nih. Mani pawl chu an dik tak, a dawthei tak, a fel tak, a hrat tak, a thra tak, a thlarau mi taka ei lo ngaina hai hi mitdel parukhai sai hmu dan ang tho niin an lang. Lungril entu Pathien mi en dan chun ei inhmu dik ve naw vong el thei bok. Isu hun laia Farisaihai nek hman khan tu lai Pathien kohran intihai hi ei farisai lem dai el ta thei bok. Bau inngaitlawm, lungril chapo si hi tu lai kohran mizie laia a langsar pawl tak laia pakhat niin a’n lang bok.

KEIVOM RUN (Greater Noida)

3 July 2014.

By L.Keivom, Inpui.com Columnist

Random Diaries-1 a khan Imphala kan vuong lut ni zanah Kuki-Paite inkara buoina chu Thingchom khaw hnai Saikul-ah a puok dar a. Chu chun chappui kang vanglaia a vabuchawi vuong darin a se vel hmun dang dangah mei a trai dar ang elin Churachandpur Biel, abikin Kailamchung tieng le Tuithraphai hmun hrang hrangah buoina a suok thu le sipai chauh naw chu tu khom Churachandpur lut thei loa an khar khip thu le Imphala nuom le nuom naw thu hril loa kan intang thu le ningtel a umzie, ka Diary-a ka ziek threnkhat chu ei tar lang tah a.

Mizorama inthoka inremna siem dan dap dinga Peace Mission an hung tir khom Imphalah an hung lut ta a. Chuong lai chanchin, a thren chauh ka Diary-a ka ziek chu iemani zat hang phor lang nawk ei tih.

July 1, 1997 Tuesday, Imphal

Pu Haokholal Thangjom, former Cabinet Minister in the Manipur Government and a seasoned and respected tribal leader accompanied by Pu Laltawna came to visit me in the morning and had many interesting discussions on Zoram khawvel politics. I gave him a copy of my 370-page latest book Zoram Khawvel-4 which was released at Hotel Ritz in Aizawl on May 29, 1997, perhaps the only book so far in Mizo dealing exclusively on the theories and manifestations of national identity and nationalism in contemporary world with special reference to the people of Zoram khawvel.

After brunch, went to meet Pu Kaihao, Accountant General at his office accompanied by Pu Doruma. Phoned Lalzar B. Sinate. Also tried to reach M.C.Lalrinthanga and V.L.Zaikima, publisher and printer of Zoram Khawvel serials at Aizawl as also Lala Khobung, ADM (J) but were all out of reach and left message.

From Pu Kaihao’s office, I proceeded to the Presbyterian Centre at Deulahland, met Rev. Chawnghranga in charge of the Centre, bought one copy each of Zoram Khawvel 1 & 3 and Pherzawl Titi for Rs. 205/- and returned to Checkon.

Rev. Chawnghranga told me that they were going to receive a goodwill delegation from Mizoram who were expected to arrive at around 3.30-4 pm. The delegation was sent by Chief Minister Lalthanhawla with two truck load of rice. It was led by by Hon. Chawngkunga, Minister of Agriculture and Department of Arts and Culture accompanied by Francis Lawmkima (Kuki MLA) and Zathruama (Paite MLA). Their mission was to try to find out a peaceful solution to the Kuki-Paite conflict in Churachandpur.

Later I heard that they could not be able to reach Imphal as the CRP convoy was ambushed at Khopum allegedly by the armed Nagas and had to stop over for a night at Noney (Naw-ne), the biggest Rongmei Naga town on Jiribam Road, 64 kms or 40 miles from Imphal (Perhaps a diversionary tactics by the Nagas, indirectly reminding them of the danger of their mission? One never knows. Nothing can be ruled out in the game of political manoeuvres).

Dinner at our place of stay at Checkon organized by Mawizuol, Enga of Saidan and Joseph (U Kamzabiek’s son). We sang animatedly with guitar some choicest romantic and melodious songs composed in the 60s and 70s including some of my compositions and had a good time. The ‘uisa’ preparation was one of the tastiest I had ever eaten since my arrival in the north-east. The ‘west’ shudders and the ‘east’ cackles at the mention of ‘uisa’ and the twain shall never meet on this palatable site. Let the world remain forever divide on this account: the knows and the knows-not, uisa-eating paradise and uisa-less hell.

July 2, 1997 Wednesday, Imphal

Got up late. After brunch I went out with U Lalngatta to SBI to encash $ 300 worth of Traveler’s Cheque amounting to Rs.10605 at the current rate of exchange of Rs.35.35 per dollar and then went to a travel agent to book two tickets for Imphal-Gauhati flight for Sunday July 6 but on waiting list of 120 over. From there, we went to Shaiza’s house but he was not there. We then headed for the airport to meet him. He was not there either. Having come so far, the prospect of going back to Delhi without visiting friends and relatives at Churachandpur was really painful.

It was the first day of Manipur Budget Session and the security arrangements around the Assembly House beat all measures: lines of armed policemen and policewomen closely fenced the area as if a full-scale war was going on. Who had created this kind of situation and who was responsible for it? If politicians could not face their people without full security cover, then what was the point of their being in politics? It’s a sight worth seeing and meditating. Gone were our days in D.M.College in the early 1960s when life was simple and peaceful, no gun-toting creatures were seen and known, the Imphal air was fresh and sweet and communal tension was unheard of.

Came back to Checkon at 3 pm. Shortly after, I received a call to inform me that Mizoram Peace Mission led by Minister Chawngkunga had arrived in Imphal and were put up at Hotel Imphal (Ashok). Immediately I rang up Francis Lawmkima (with whom I studied history at Gauhati University in 1964-66) and then rushed to the hotel where I met all of them and briefed of the situation.

Pu Chawngkunga told me several things, right and wrong. Seemed he had good memories but suffering heavily from Tualte Vanglai Syndrome (TVS). He said he got more than Rs. 4 lakh in advance for the Mizo Geneology he compiled sometime ago which, most of it, were lifted strait from other publications without giving them the required acknowledgement or credit which courtesy demanded he should so that in the process his book would gain credibility and acceptance. He was an interesting character: nationalistic, lively, kicking and sharp but naïve. I wished he was a little more educated and informed. He could be an useful national asset to further Zoram khawvel movement.

The Peace Mission had a meeting with some local leaders of Churachandpur including Holkhomang and Selkai Hrangchal. They invited me to participate at the meeting but I declined. It was interesting to watch how the Paites were trying to sequester Zathruama as if he was their spokeman. I told the leader of the delegation the composition of his team was wrong. It should have been better if no Paite or Kuki was included. They said that it was a preliminary attempt and they would be more careful in the next visit. I told them there might not be a second visit if the first was a failure.

The delegation was to meet Chief Minister Rishang Keishing in the evening for a courtesy call. Nobody seemed to have coordinated their programme. I did not meet them again in the evening.

Mr. Kaihao Vaiphei, A.G rang up to tell that the intelligence report of the day indicated a possibility of a clash between Manipuris and Nagas for the former to have leanings on the Kuki side. Manipur ethnic cauldron is a powder-keg potentially dangerous as it could explode any moment at the drop of a hat.

Mizo AIR programme reported 13 dead and 17 injured because of Kuki-Paite clash on the day.

July 3, 1997 Thursday, Imphal

Got up early. Decided to proceed to Churachandpur in response to the special request of0 Pu Chawngkunga that my wife and I accompany the Peace Mission Team to Churachandpur. Car came to pick us up at 0930 hours and we proceeded to Hotel Imphal (Ashoka). We travelled in the Minister’s car with a big escort in front and behind. The Minister entertained us with all kinds of hilarious Mizo anecdotes and wisecracks. When we were passing through Bishenpur he said unexpectedly, “Let’s sing ‘Ri hok hokin’” (Ri hok hokin kha han sa ila). I was pleasantly surprised and asked him where and when did he learn and whether he knew the lyrics. He told me that he was once invited by the Hmar Students’ Association as Chief Guest and they sang this song and immediately fell in love with it. It’s the song I composed in Delhi in early 1970s known under the title ‘Kan tlangram mawi’ or ‘Dar ang lengna’ and the Minister could recite the whole song as eloquent as he did The Lord’s Prayer. So we sang with wild abandon clapping hands and forgetting for a moment the Kuki-Paite conflict.

Reached Churachandpur at 1230 hours and proceeded straight to Inspection Bungalow. Attended the first meeting chaired by Pu Zathruama MLA who could speak Hmar, Paite and Mizo-Lusei fluently. He gave a brief introduction and explanation of the purpose of their mission. Then the Minister took the floor followed by Francis Lawmkima. The Chairman called several speakers, mostly from the Paite community and only one each from Kuki and Gangte representatives and Peace Committee Chairman Rev. Darsanglien Ruolngul spoke. It’s a one-sided affair hijacked by one community.

I left the meeting at 2 pm, went to U Rokung’s house and from there to Lalbiekvel Fimate’s house at Rengkai Road where I had to stay for the night. After awhile, we went out on foot to visit our immediate relatives and friends in Rengkai and Nehru Marg, the latter place being our permanent address while in service. Bieka is married to Lalthienghlim, the daughter of my eldest brother Khawtinkung, now in Khawmawi.

Because of the curfew, we could not go out anywhere. My nephew Edward Thangchunghnung Hrangate whom I gave his name somehow managed to visit us and stayed till 10 pm which in Churachandpur standard is quite late as most people eat dinner during daylight and go to bed at dusk. There was an eerie silence and even street dogs did not bark perhaps sensing the lurking danger. The stillness was broken for sometime at 8.30 pm by the sound of gunfire from the southern side.

Hi chena hin la hang suktawp phot inla, hun remchang hmasa takah ei sunzom nawk ding a nih. Isu’n “Indo inlengtir dinga hung ka ni lem” (Lk 12:51) a ti kha a hril umzie hre chieng loin, eini rawi hin a’n khat tawka unau hmel hai thawa inchemhar hi ieng chen am ei la chǐng ding maw? (June 29, 2014, Sunday, Delhi)