TSA hails Imphal covenant; KIM disapproves
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 08 2025: Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has extended "sincere appreciation and wholehearted support" to the covenant of understanding signed between Thadou and Meetei communities on August 6, describing it as a landmark achievement in the journey toward truth, recognition, and indigenous solidarity in Manipur.

In a statement issued Friday, TSA said that the agreement, marked by the warm reception of Thadou people in Imphal, was more than symbolic and represented a significant step toward peace and dignity for both communities.

The group reiterated its long-standing commitment to peace, justice, and the rightful identity of Thadou people, citing its history of advocating for their rights, including in the Save Tribal Land - Haolen-phai issue.

TSA said that its position during the ongoing crisis had been misunderstood and misrepresented by some Meetei sections and by those identifying as Kuki in the state.

It highlighted that there is currently no operational TSA unit in Manipur due to threats and intimidation from "Kuki supremacist groups" .

The TSA office at Taloulong was forcibly closed on May 2, 2023, a day before the outbreak of violence, allegedly by the village chief due to his anti-Meetei stance and opposition to engagement with the state government.

The statement also recounted that on September 28, 2023, Kuki militants directly threatened TSA Sadar Hills leaders with violence, barring them from attending the 66th TSA General Assembly in Guwahati.

Such actions were part of a wider pattern of suppression and persecution of Thadou community, it stated.

TSA further said that the Meetei community, through Manipur civil society organisations, student bodies, Ima Lups, and other leaders, had now recognised the pain of Thadou people, acknowledged that "Thadou is not Kuki", and welcomed them back with respect.

The association thanked the Meetei community for "their wisdom and courage to distinguish truth from propaganda".

Calling the day a "turning point", TSA urged indigenous communities to walk together "shoulder to shoulder" for peace, dignity, and justice, while acknowledging that healing, correcting narratives, and rebuilding trust will take time and dedication.

On the other-hand, after a 17-member delegation of the Thadou Inpi Manipur held talks with Meetei CSOs, in Imphal, on August 6, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) declared illegitimacy of the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) to represent the Thadou tribes in Manipur.

According to a KIM statement issued by information & publicity secretary Janghaolun Haokip, TIM and any individual or entities claiming to represent the Kuki people without the mandate of the legitimate Kuki leadership will be ostracised from the Kuki community and declared enemies of the Kuki people for undermining the collective struggle and aspirations of the community.

It said that a resolution in this regard was taken on August 7, 2025 and recalled similar decisions in the past like the Inpi Proclamation No 2 (July 3, 2023 at KIC Complex, Lamka), Delhi Conclave Declaration No 1 (October 16, 2023) and Shillong Summit Resolution No 1, held from August 14 to 17, 2024 .

The KIM statement further said that TIM and its leadership, who have publicly disassociated themselves from the broader Kuki identity and consistently claim not to be Kuki, lack any legitimacy or moral authority to negotiate peace or represent the interests of the Kuki people in the ongoing Kuki-Meetei conflict.

The timing and nature of the visit under the guise of 'peace talks' raised serious questions, it said.

While the Kuki people continue to suffer-displaced, persecuted and denied justice, attempts at unauthorised dialogue only serve to dilute the gravity of the injustices endured and fracture the unity required for a just resolution.

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, the KIM said and called upon all stakeholders - local, national and international - to recognise the authentic voice of the Kuki people and to reject any attempt by fringe elements to hijack or distort the community's demands for justice, safety and security.

Comment