Thadou Human Rights Advocacy condemns
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 02 2026: The Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA) has strongly condemned the advisory dated December 31, 2025 issued by Advocate Vishwajeet Singh, directing media outlets to refer to armed Kuki groups (UPF & KNO) under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework with both Government of Manipur and Government of India as "Kuki Zo Political Groups (KZPGs)" and portraying them as representatives of the so-called "Kuki/Kuki-Zo" subscribers of Manipur.

In a release, the THRA pointed out that the Thadou people are a distinct Scheduled Tribe, independently recognized under the Constitution of India since 1956."Thadou is not Kuki, nor part of any Kuki/Kuki-Zo construct/label.

Any attempt to impose such identification violates the right to selfidentification, cultural integrity, and human dignity guaranteed under the Constitution", it added.

The THRA also highlighted that the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) are not elected bodies and hold no democratic mandate to represent the Thadou people or any tribal or non-Naga hill populations of Manipur.

"Any attempt to rebrand armed groups as political representatives is misleading and unacceptable.

If such groups seek political legitimacy, they must first fully surrender arms and weapons and enter the democratic mainstream in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law", it added.

The THRA called upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to strictly enforce the SoO ground rules and prevent any misrepresentation or coercive assertion of identity.

Furthermore, the THRA urged all media houses to exercise accuracy and responsibility in reporting.

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