Appeal: Turn May 3 into 'Peace Day', Not Ethnic Provocation day
- May 1, 2025 :: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) -

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Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), apex body of the Thadou community, would like to appeal and propose to all the people of Manipur to collectively observe May 3 as ‘Peace Day’ in Manipur every year instead of different communities observing it separately in an antagonistic communal fashion to suit some communal politics and divisive agenda, that are detrimental to confidence building, community understanding, reconciliation and peace. As we observe May 3 this year and pray for peace, we honour the memory of those who have fallen victim to the tragic violence in Manipur, and extend our deepest empathy to the survivors and their families.

Last year, the Thadou Students’ Association, on behalf of the Thadou community, appealed to observe the day as ‘Peace Day’ drawing inspiration from Japan's commemoration of the Hiroshima bombing to call for international peace and denounce war and violence. We must reflect and ask ourselves what we are making of the violence in our own state, which affects our community and society.

Although being the most affected yet silenced victims of the two-year-old violence, the Thadou community has shown a remarkable resilience in advocating for peace through mutual understanding and respect among all indigenous communities who call Manipur home. While some vested interests may benefit from the ongoing violence, it has brought nothing good for the society, only devastating loss, misery, and severe socio-economic impacts on an already impoverished Manipur.

Being caught up in the violence, the Thadou community with no agenda whatsoever have endured the unthinkable sufferings as a result of the violence. In fact, the Thadou community has been greatly affected by violence in the past as well, during the prolonged Kuki-Naga as well as Kuki-Zomi violent conflicts in the 1990s, the traumatic, devastating impacts of which the community was still reeling under when another ethnic violence struck us two years ago.

Despite threats from anti-peace and anti-Thadou groups, the Thadou community, led by TIM, TSA, and TCI, has consistently advocated for peace since the onset of violence, believing that community understanding is the only way forward. With light finally at the end of the tunnel, recent breakthroughs offer hope. We urge all parties to unite in fostering confidence for lasting peace and harmony, refusing to let our society be dictated by harmful forces.

People of Manipur must learn to resolve conflicts through non-violent means, otherwise our future is too bleak and doomed. We appeal to all the people of Manipur, especially the indigenous people, to refrain from making provocative statements, spreading hate messages, but shun the path of violence and embrace the spirit of peace, unity and reconciliation as we rebuild our society.

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 organisation, individuals or elected representative 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 Declaration - 2024.

(Manggou Thadou)
Joint General Secretary
Thadou Inpi Manipur