TIM condemns KIM's unconstitutional directive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 08 2025:
The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has unequivocally condemned the recent joint resolution issued by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) that sought to impede the lawful participation of elected representatives in the formation of a popular Government in Manipur.
A statement issued by TIM asserted that the term "Kuki-Zo" refers exclusively to individuals who subscribe to the "Any Kuki Tribes (AKT)" Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, which had an initial recorded population of 28,342 in Manipur as per the 2011 Census.
In contrast, Thadou is a distinct indigenous tribe with its own constitutional recognition with a population of 2.16 lakh as per the 2011 Census and enumerated in the Census of India since 1881, consistently holding the highest population among tribal communities and ranking as the second-largest community after the Meitei.
Neither Kuki-Zo subscribers nor Kuki Inpi Manipur hold any authority over the Thadou people or Thadou Inpi Manipur, it asserted.
The Thadou Inpi Manipur, formerly Thadou National Council (established in 1984) and Thadou Tribe Council, have never been part of Kuki Inpi Manipur since its formation in 1993 along with its units like KSO, KKL, etc.
The Thadou Conclave Delhi 2015 Declaration No 6 explicitly disowned Kuki Inpi and its units.
KIM applies only to AKT certificate holders, not Thadou in Manipur, it said.
"Inpi" is a Thadou word meaning socio-cultural or community institution and has no rights to interfere in political party set-up or functioning.
At best, it can issue advisories within its own tribe.
KIM cannot assume suprapolitical or extra-constitutional authorities issuing diktats to MLAs from other communities to defy party whips or abstain from Government formation as it is illegal and equates to the actions of unlawful organisations.
KIM must focus solely on "Kuki issues" and stop interfering in Thadou, Hmar, Paite, Vaiphei, Zou, or any other Zo kindred tribes.
They have crossed their boundary by using the term "Zo" .
KIM has consistently acted against Thadou interests since its inception.
Notably, it hijacked the Thadou War of 1917-1919 by renaming it as the "Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919," thereby undermining Thadou rights, altering commemoration inscriptions, and lobbying for its recognition as "Kuki Rising" with restricted holiday status in 2021 to further its political agenda.
This deliberate rewriting erases the rightful history and identity of the Thadou people.
Furthermore, the inclusion of "Any Kuki tribes" in the ST list of Manipur in 2003 was proliferated by KIM, directly undermining the distinct identity of the Thadou tribe by duplicating Thadou people under the Kuki label at a time when Manipur faced extreme balkanisation threats due to the Government of India's NSCN-IM ceasefire extension without territorial limits, it said.
Presently, among the ten Zo MLAs supporting the "SA demand in Manipur," three hold Thadou ST certificates -Nemcha Kipgen, Letpao Haokip, and Haokholet Kipgen.
If any of them wish to identify as Kuki, they should obtain AKT certificates and stop prostitutioning the Thadou identity by obtaining Thadou ST certificate.
However, no force has any right to disturb, harm or intimidate any Thadou ST certificate holding MLAs in exercising his/her constitutional obligations such as part of formation of popular Government, as they are not Kuki but Thadou, TIM asserted.
Under Indian law, KIM may face criminal prosecution for intimidation, criminal conspiracy, unlawful restraint, obstruction of public functionaries, and sedition if their acts threaten public order or constitutional governance, under relevant BNS Sections, Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 if their acts undermine the sovereignty, integrity, or democratic processes of India.
Thadou people remain committed to peace, democratic values, and harmonious coexistence of all indigenous communities of the State, it added.
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