Thadou Community International formed to safeguard rights, identity
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 04 2024: In a significant development for Thadou community across the globe, the "Thadou Community International" (TCI) has been formed under the aegis of Thadou Students' Association General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) .

The decision was made during a marathon meeting held on Saturday, which saw participation from prominent Thadou personalities residing in nine countries, including the USA, United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, India, Myanmar, Singapore, Macau, and Malaysia.

In a statement, the newly formed TCI informed that during the meeting, which lasted over eight hours, Kapchungnung Tado from Chicago, USA, and Chongboi Haokip from London, UK, were unanimously elected as convenors of TCI.

The meeting also saw the election of 30 other executive members, who will serve a one-year tenure.

The formation of TCI comes at a time when the Thadou people, especially those in Manipur, are facing widespread persecution, brutality, and violations of their civil and human rights from various quarters.

The formation of TCI marks a crucial step toward addressing the pressing concerns and future aspirations of the Thadou people worldwide, particularly in light of ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.

The newly formed Thadou Community International aims to represent the voice of the suppressed and silenced Thadou people.

The organisation has laid out several objectives that will guide its efforts moving forward.

These include safeguarding and promoting the civil and human rights of the Thadou tribe, preserving its distinct identity, heritage, history, and culture, and carrying out awareness programs accordingly.

TCI also seeks to address the serious concerns regarding the widespread violation of Thadou people's rights, particularly by what they describe as "Kuki supremacists," and to raise these issues with relevant authorities and organisations, including state and non-state actors.

Another key objective of TCI is to support Thadou organisations and leaders who bravely stand up for the protection of Thadou interests.

The organisation also aims to promote and strengthen Thadou communities across the globe, fostering positive relationships with kindred communities within the Chin/Zo people and beyond.

Additionally, TCI will work toward the socio-economic, educational, and overall development of the Thadou people.

The formation of TCI is based on an acknowledgment of several key facts and circumstances, which were discussed during the meeting.

The Thadou tribe is recognised as a distinct group with its own identity, language, culture, and history, spanning thousands of years.

The organisation asserts that Thadous have always been known by their tribal name and should not be referred to by any other names, particularly those considered derogatory.

The use of terms like "Khongjai" by the Meeteis or "Kuki" by the media is seen as offensive and disrespectful by the Thadou community.

Furthermore, TCI rejected the classification of Thadous as Kuki, asserting that the Kuki tribe was fraudulently created and listed as a separate tribe in the list of scheduled tribes of Manipur in 2003.The organisation argues that the inclusion of "Any Kuki Tribes" in the 2011 Manipur census was a move aimed at personal wealth creation and political control.

TCI supports the proposition that this classification should be deleted to protect the collective interests of all indigenous people of Manipur, including the original 29 scheduled tribes listed under the 1956 Orders.

The statement also highlights the colonial origins of the term "Kuki, " which was first used by British colonisers, believed to be derived from a Bengali reference to the migratory "Cuckoo" or "Cucci" bird or "Coolie," generally meaning slave, labourer, or porter.

The organisation emphasises that amidst the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which broke out on May 3, 2023, the Thadou tribe has faced increasing threats to its identity, unity, and interests from various quarters, particularly Kuki supremacist groups and armed militants.

TCI condemned coercive control and abuse faced by the Thadou people, who have been forced to reject their ethnic and cultural identity and instead proclaim themselves as Kuki under duress.

The organisation cites instances of violence and persecution, such as the arson attack on the family home of Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Haokip and the assassination attempt on his life, as evidence of the brutality faced by those who resist the Kuki identity.

Despite these challenges, TCI remains committed to preserving the Thadou identity and fighting for justice and freedom through non-violent and peaceful means.

The organisation calls for mutual respect, understanding, and equality in addressing the issues faced by the Thadou people.

The organisation also pledged to protect the rights and identity of the Thadou tribe, both in Manipur and across the world.

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