Abrogate SoO demand continues unabated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2025: Condemning the brutal killing of Thadou leader Nehkam Jornhao, a joint statement issued by Thadou Inpi (TI) (Karbi Anglong), Karbi Students' Association (KSA), Dimasa Students' Union (DSU), Thadou Students' Association (TSA) and Thadou Women's Association (TWA) have demanded abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with KRA, UKDA, and KLA and to further declare them as terrorist organizations.

In a joint press release, the aforementioned groups have also called for the arrest of all masterminds and individuals involved in the murder, including the leaders of KRA.

UKDA, and KLA; recovery of Nehkam Jomhao's body as quickly as possible; hand over the case to the NIA; flush out Kuki militants from Karbi Anglong district and all of Assam; impose a ban on all Kuki militant and anti-peace organizations and establishment of a peace memorial park in honour of the Thadou leader in Karbi Anglong, to be named 'Nehkam Thadou Peace Memorial Park' .

Though Thadou Inpi had clarified that the Thadou delegates (including Jornhao) did not represent Kuki community in the peace meet on August 6, Kuki groups issued a series of social boycotts, violent threats, and hate campaigns against the Thadou delegates.

"The Thadou community has been facing regular abuse and threats from Kuki groups, who believe they are above the law and can abuse, assault, and kill anyone without consequences", said the statement.

It added that the longstanding peaceful relationship between the Karbi, Dimasa and Thadou communities, as well as peace in the region, has been greatly disturbed by the presence of Kuki militants.

Additionally, the village of Manja, where the killing occurred, holds historical significance because it was gifted by the Karbis to the Thadous during the Kuki-Thadou violence of 1992-1993.Tragically, Jomhao's own brother was also a victim of Kuki aggression during this period, it added.

Jomhao's killing is part of a "cultural genocide" and a long-standing pattern of persecution of Thadous by Kuki supremacist groups, said the joint press release.

Stressing on the rise of violence and lawlessness due to the presence of "supremacist Kuki radical groups" in Assam and periods of ethnic violence such as the Kuki-Thadou conflict (1992-93) and Kuki-Karbi clash (2023), the five organisations have demanded the Central and State Government to fulfil their demands.

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