Concerns raised over potential link between Kuki supremacist agenda and Manipur violence
TIM represents Thadou, not Kuki: TCI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2025: Reacting sharply to the statement issued by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) which declared the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) as enemies of the Kuki people and also ostracised TIM as well as all other individuals claiming to represent the Kuki people from the Kuki community, the Thadou Community International (TCI) has asserted that TIM is the apex representative body of the Thadou community, not the Kuki community.

The Thadou people are an independent and separate ethnic group, and TIM has never claimed to represent the Kuki people, the TCI pointed out in a statement.

"TIM has consistently advocated for our distinct Thadou identity and have advised Kuki organizations to limit their representation to the Kuki community (the Any Kuki Tribes" or AKT) and not interfere in the affairs of the Thadou people", the TCI said.

TCI views KIM's statement as a panicked reaction to the growing movement among various tribal communities to assert their distinct identities, separate from the Kuki label.

The Thadou identity has been consistently recorded as 'Thadou' in all Indian censuses for Manipur since 1881, whereas the "Any Kuki Tribes" (AKT) was a creation of 2003 for political control and personal wealth amassment and had a population of 28,342 in the 2011 census - the first and only time Kuki population was officially recorded.

The aggressive exploitation of the Manipur violence by certain Kuki groups to coerce non-Kuki tribes, including the Thadou, Paite, Vaiphei, Gangte, Hmar, Simte, and Kom to accept the Kuki label raises serious concerns about a potential link between Kuki supremacist agenda and the Manipur violence that started on May 3, 2023, the TCI remarked.

For decades, the Thadou people have been victims of Kuki supremacist agendas.

The cultural appropriation and persecution of the Thadou people by Kuki groups have a long history, dating back to the 1970s, when Rev Dr T Lunkim named the Thadou Bible as Kuki Bible, a move that landed him in jail.

This Kuki supremacist movement, promoted by figures like Rev Dr T Lunkim, the lifetime supremo of the Kuki Christian Church (KCC) and the main architect of the "Any Kuki Tribes" concept, with the alleged backing of Kuki militant groups, especially those under the Kuki National Organisation, sought to erase the Thadou identity.

Because he was not allowed by the Court to launch it in Manipur following opposition from Thadou community, Dr T Lunkim fled to Nagaland and launched it there.

Since then, Kuki radical ideology slowly crept into the community, leading to many complex socio- political problems in the name of Kuki that affected the Thadou community to an indescribable extent.

KNO President PS Hao-kip in his book 'Zalengam, Land of the Kukis', promotes Kuki supremacist radical ideology while undermining Thadou identity based on falsehoods, lies and whimsical or distorted accounts, some of which are drawn from T Lunkim's divisive Kuki radical ideology, it said.

Furthermore, it is concerning that some anti-peace Kuki groups are using the current ethnic violence for selfish political ambitions and personal gain.

There are widespread reports of leaders from groups like COTU, ITLF, Kuki CSOs, militant organizations and one prominent MLA who is also a vocal advocate of the Kuki separate administration movement amassing wealth.

These suggest that for some, the violence has become an opportunity for power, control, and illegal activities such as drug and arms smuggling and extortion, while the suffering of the general population has increased exponentially, the TCI said.

As a peace-loving community with no armed militant groups of their own, Thadou community has endured widespread persecution by supremacist Kuki groups, which have over 40 armed militant groups operating primarily in Thadou-inhabited areas, it said.

The TCI has also lamented that the Government seems unable to enforce the constitutional rule of law in Manipur, allowing Kuki persecution of Thadou to happen unhindered, even during President's Rule.

Hailing the Thadou-Meitei meeting held at Imphal on August 6, 2025 as a grand success, the TCI asserted that the meeting marks a significant step toward mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, demonstrating the shared spirit of unity that has long defined the people of Manipur.

"This signals the unstoppable Thadou movement in asserting our distinct Thadou identity, which is so important for the Thadou people, even as Thadous have been the most affected yet silenced victims of the tragic violence that started on May 3, 2023", the TCI continued.

The August 6 gathering culminated in a covenant of community understanding, a landmark agreement that formally recognizes the Thadou tribe's distinct identity, separate from the "Kuki" label.

The covenant reaffirms a shared commitment to mutual respect, peace and stability, it said.

"This positive reception from our Meitei brothers and sisters in Imphal is a testament to the strong community bonds that exist", the TCI added.

The TCI has also strongly condemned the actions of Kuki groups who reacted to the goodwill meeting with violence and false propaganda.

According to the TCI's statement, Jangboi Kipgen's KNF (N) is reported to have assaulted Thadou leader Henkai Singsit who was pulled out from his home in Motbung and severely beaten on August 7, 2025 .

This assault was reportedly carried out under the false suspicion that he had participated in the August 6 meeting.

Taking strong exception to the 'confinement' of TIM delegates in the Classic Hotel, Imphal by authorities of the Government of India, TCI decried that it was a clear violation of the fundamental rights to life, liberty and free movement.

It appears that the TCI delegates were 'confined' in the hotel based on misinformation from certain anti-peace Kuki supremacist groups, it said.

The forced confinement of peaceful delegates is seen as a political move to appease certain Kuki groups, rather than a genuine effort to maintain law and order, which could not have been an issue, given there was no opposition from any group in the valley, but all were supportive of the meeting, the TCI said.

"We urge the Government of India to support, not suppress, community-led peace processes.

The unity and mutual respect fostered by this covenant must be upheld to prevent serious consequences for peace and stability", it added.

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