Thadou-Meitei 'Road to Peace' initiative
KIM declares TIM enemy of the Kuki people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2025: Even as the Thadou Students' Association has hailed the recent peace initiative between Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) and Meitei CSOs, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has declared the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) as enemies of the Kuki people for allegedly undermining the collective struggle and aspirations of the Kuki community.

With regard to the visit of a 17-member delegation of TIM to Imphal on August 6, reportedly to engage in "peace talks" with various Meitei CSOs, KIM has claimed that TIM does not represent the Thadou tribes of Manipur.

A press release issued by KIM said that Thadou Inpi Manipur and any individuals or entities claiming to represent the Kuki people without the mandate of the legitimate Kuki leadership have been ostracised from the Kuki community.

Thadou-Meitei 'Road to Peace' initiative

TIM and its leadership, who have publicly disassociated themselves from the broader Kuki identity and have been consistently claiming not to be Kukis lack any legitimacy or moral authority to negotiate peace or represent the interests of the Kuki people in the ongoing Kuki-Meitei conflict, KIM said.

Peace cannot be built on exclusion, misrepresentation or betrayal.

Any genuine dialogue must involve authentic, community- mandated representatives and address the historical and recent injustices faced by the Kukis including mass displacement, targeted violence and systemic marginalisation, it said.

Meanwhile, the Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has expressed sincere appreciation and wholehearted support for the historic covenant of understanding between the Thadou and Meitei communities on August 6, 2025 which was preceded by a warm reception of the Thadou people in Imphal.

This moment is more than symbolic, it is a landmark achievement in the long and painful journey toward truth, recognition, and indigenous solidarity in Manipur, the TSA said in a press release.

The TSA has always stood for peace, justice, and the rightfill identity of the Thadou people.

"The TSA always fights for the rights of the Thadous, unyielding to any pressure but exerting our rights to the extent of raising voice against the powers that be which has been evident as in the case of "Save Tribal Land - Haolenphai issue", it said.

However, during the ongoing crisis in Manipur, the position of Thadous was misunderstood and misrepresented, both by sections of the Meitei and those people identifying as Kuki in the State.

It is important to highlight that there is currently no operational TSA unit in Manipur, owing to threats and intimidation by Kuki supremacist groups.

The TSA office at Taloulong was forcibly closed by the village chief on May 2, 2023, a day before the outbreak of conflict, due to his anti-Meitei position and opposition to engagement with the State Government.

Further, on September 28, 2023, the Kuki militants, directly threatened TSA Sadar Hills leaders with violence, explicitly forbidding them from attending the 66th TSA General Assembly in Guwahati.

These acts reflect the grave suppression and persecution faced by the Thadou community from armed Kuki groups and the systematic effort to silence the Thadou student body and leadership, it said.

"Today, however, marks a turning point.

The Meitei community, through Manipur CSOs, student organisations, Ema groups and other civil society leaders, has recognized our pain, understood our distinct Thadou identity that Thadou is not Kuki, and welcomed us back with respect.

This act of goodwill and mutual understanding is deeply appreciated by TSA and the entire Thadou community.

We thank the Manipur CSOs and Meitei people for their wisdom and courage to distinguish truth from propaganda", it said.

Let this day be the beginning of a new chapter; one where the indigenous peoples of Manipur walk together, shoulder to shoulder for peace, dignity, and justice, the TSA said.

"We acknowledge that there is still a long journey ahead.

Healing wounds, correcting narratives, and rebuilding trust will require time and dedication.

But today gives us hope.

May this be the seed of a stronger, united Manipur, where every indigenous voice is heard, respected, and protected.

May God bless our people and our land", it added.