'Thadou Inpi and TSA are not under KIM and KSO'

01st March 2019, Imphal

Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) is utterly shocked to learn that Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Kuki Students’ Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) sent a letter dated the 23rd February 2019 to Shri Rahul Gandhi, President of Indian National Congress (INC), recommending one T. Zangkhomang Haokip for allotment of INC ticket for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in 2019. The letter also included a number of support letters from various Congress leaders at block levels within the outer Manipur parliamentary constituency.

We would like to clarify that Thadou Inpi (apex body of Thadou community, the largest tribe in the state of Manipur) and TSA are not under KIM and KSO or a part of this sinister design of KIM and KSO-GHQ.

KIM and KSO are not the apex body of the non-Naga tribal communities of the state as other tribe-based organizations are more influential and powerful in their respective dominant areas. Zomi Council, a conglomerate of 8 (eight) tribes (Paite, Zou, Simte, Vaiphei, Mate, Kom, Gangte and Zou), Hmar Inpui (apex body of Hmar tribe) and the Mizo People’s Convention (apex body of Mizos) and their respective student organisations are not under KIM or KSO.

As per a press release of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), there are four intending MP candidates from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community who are vying for the INC ticket viz. Tongmang Haokip, W. Lalkholam Hangshing, T. Zangkhomang Haokip and John Manglianthang Zou. As anyone among the four or any other persons from any other political parties cannot be disowned, the question of who should be given party ticket should be left to the individuals and the party of which they seek a ticket.

Even as a consensus candidate from within the Chin-Kuki Mizo community is desirable, TSA, as are the general public, are appalled at the overactive involvement of KIM and KSO in a political party (Congress party) and ticket distribution in favour of a particular interested person.

The said recommendation of KIM and KSO was done sneakily at their own wishful thinking with vested interest without taking other leaders even within their own set up into confidence. The plot was kept under wraps for many days and it only came to the public domain after the letter was leaked to the social media inviting strong remonstrance from the general public and all quarters including the other three intending Congress candidates who were left high-and-dry.

While this arbitrary decision, move and action of KIM and KSO are totally unacceptable, it has put a big question mark to the legitimacy of KIM and KSO-GHQ on the matter. At present, the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community is in a state of tumult due to the KIM, KSO blundering action.

We are not involved or interested in electioneering or distribution of party tickets in any manner, but only wish to see a people’s choice being elected freely and fairly regardless of which political parties. We would like to advise KIM and KSO leaders to wisely desist from narrow, divisive and harmful election politics in larger community interest to avoid further fragmentation of the community.

Issued in Public Interest By -
Ministry of Information and Publicity
Thadou Students' Association,
General Headquarters : Imphal, Manipur