Rejoinder : Statement made by 10 Non-Naga Tribal MLAs
- 23rd November 2024 : Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) -

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Thadou Inpi Manipur office bearers' installation prayer ceremony, which was led by various reverends and pastors during Thadou Convention Guwahati on November 1, 2024.

Apropos the joint statement dated 19th November, 2024 of the 10 Non-Naga Tribal MLAs of Manipur pertaining to their observations on the resolutions of ruling/NDA MLAs of Manipur taken at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on 18th November, 2024, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) would like to issue a rejoinder.

1. The 10 MLAs should clarify the remark in their statement “some fringe elements claiming to represent Thadou and Hmar tribes is pitiful at best”. It is imperative to ask, whether the 10 MLAs represent the people of their respective constituencies or they are representatives of some particular tribes? Thadou Inpi Manipur, being the unified apex body of the Thadou tribe, will deal with matters relating to the affairs of Thadou tribe in the state of Manipur.

Upon some investigation, it is reliably learnt that the statement is believed to be the handiwork of some Churachandpur-based Kuki supremacist MLAs, with some of the named MLAs claiming to have no knowledge of the content. Regardless of their community affiliations, it is unbecoming of MLAs, to engage in anti-Thadou activities, or interfere in Thadou affairs without an authorization or first consulting the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM).

The society, irrespective of ethnic community, is broadly divided into pro-peace and anti-peace groups, with the anti-peace group seemingly controlling the situation at the cost of the silenced pro-peace majority. Unfortunately, fear is weaponized by some fringe elements within the communities to control the vulnerable society. It is important that all elected representatives do not become a part of those fragments, allowing themselves to be dictated and controlled by some anti-peace, pro-violence splinter groups, but instead show true leadership and focus on bringing peace, unity and development in the community in discharging their constitutional duties.

2. The meeting of the ruling MLAs endorsed the State Cabinet’s acknowledgement of the positive response of the Thadou tribe to the peace initiative taken up by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India and Government of Manipur for the return of peace and normalcy in Manipur. The statement of the 10 MLAs, belittling the sincere efforts of Thadou community for peace, lacks wisdom, goodwill and sincerity, and is highly reprehensible. We, therefore, condemn the remark on Thadou tribe and advise for the same to be retracted, if the 10 MLAs considered themselves unbiased and neutral representatives of the people.

3. On the one hand, the 10 MLAs are chastising Thadou people for taking interest in peace process, while on the other hand, according to their joint statement at Para No. 7, they asked both the Union and State Governments to take all necessary steps to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur by way of initiating political dialogue. Was not the peace talk initiated by MHA in New Delhi on 15th October 2024 the necessary step taken? Had the MLAs genuinely cared about their people and worked for peace and non-violent resolutions since the outbreak of the violence on 3rd May, 2023, the situation would have been different.

4. The gullible public is already in a state of confusion and apparently the 10 MLAs themselves are also bewildered. They adopt a rancorous tone to appease and garner the support of their constituents, but in reality, none of them has the will and determination to resign from their membership of Manipur State Legislative Assembly or at least withdraw their support to the very Government they revile as all evil. If this is not hypocrisy then what else is?

5. Having been the most affected yet silenced victims in the ongoing tragic violence in Manipur, Thadou people have been advocating for peace and non-violent resolutions in the interest of all communities. We condemn all forms and incidents of violence and demand stringent action against any and all weapon wielding groups that draw pleasure from harming and killing fellow human beings. It would have been rather appreciated if the 10 MLAs have taken a firm stance and efforts for peace while sincerely pursing their political demand for a separate administration through political and democratic means if they really mean it.

6. Judging from their activities and press statements, it appears that the 10 MLAs are more into a pursuit of political opportunism rather than being genuinely interested in what they claim to be fighting for and being genuinely concerned about the suffering of the people. The people deserve honest dealing from their representatives.

7. It makes no sense to demand sacking of a Government or the Chief Minister while continuing to support and be part of the very same Government. It also makes no sense to claim to be actively fighting for a Separate Administration (SA) from Manipur state while the same Manipur Government administration headed by the Chief Minister is still allowed to function effectively and the 10 MLAs continue to carry out their normal duties as member of Manipur Legislative Assembly, the only difference, as they themselves pointed out, being their inability to physically attend the Assembly sessions in Imphal due to fear of violence or personal safety reasons.

8. Sadly, some politicians, elected-members as well as non-elected, and some groups and individuals never fails to grab an opportunity to politicize and instigate, to escalate any unfortunate situation or incident rather than make efforts for peace and normalcy. This makes people to wonder if the ongoing violence from the very beginning all along the course was politically-motivated with a nefarious agenda of some people for selfish political gains. Given the magnitude of the negative impacts of the prolonged violence, it would be most unfortunate and an unpardonable sin if this was the case.

9. Further prolonging the violence with no solution in sight will be grossly detrimental for the rights of the victims and the general population. Even as we demand justice for all victims of violence, we once again appeal and urge all elected members, Government authorities of the Centre as well as the State, and community organizations and leaders of all communities to work together, sans narrow and selfish or divisive political agenda, in the larger interest of the people of Manipur, and of the Nation, to bring peace and an end to the violence and untold sufferings of the people.

10. With Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) being the unified apex-body of Thadou tribe in Manipur as per the Thadou Convention 2024 Guwahati on 1st November, 2024, TIM takes the ultimate responsibility and role as far as the affairs of Thadou community is concerned. We would like to advise all media organizations and all others relevant parties not to entertain any other organization that claims to be the apex body or representative of Thadou tribe, but not associated with TIM, in the affairs of Thadou community of Manipur and beyond.

Statement: “Thadou is a distinct ethnic group of people. Thadou is not Kuki, or underneath Kuki, or part of Kuki, but a separate, independent entity from Kuki. Any organization that incorporates “Thadou” but espouses Kuki and mis-portrays Thadou as Kuki or a part of Kuki is illegitimate and does not represent Thadou people and interest” – Thadou Convention, 2024.

(M. James Thadou)
President
Thadou Inpi Manipur
(Unified Apex Body of the Thadou Tribe in Manipur)