TIM welcomes Delhi talks, rues COCOMI's absence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2025: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has extended appreciation to the ministry of home affairs for facilitating the April 5 peace dialogue in New Delhi involving civil society groups from both the Meetei and Ku-ki-Zo communities.

In a media release, TIM commended All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and Federation of Civil Societies (FOCS), Zomi Council (ZC), Hmar Inpui-GHQ, United Zou Organisation (UZO), and Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), for participating and committing to non-violent resolutions.

However, TIM expressed regret over the refusal of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to attend the meeting, stating that its absence weakens the mandate of Meetei civil society representation and signals a lack of trust in the ongoing peace initiative.

Highlighting the significance of dialogue, TIM recalled a missed opportunity on May 6, 2023 when a planned peace meeting between Thadou Inpi and COCOMI was aborted due to serious threats from "Kuki supremacist elements" .

The organisation believes failure to hold that meeting contributed to the escalation of the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023 .

TIM also expressed concern over the continued disruption to peace efforts by anti-peace elements such as the Coordinating Committee on Village Volunteers (CCVV), Kuki-Zo Village Volunteer-Eastern Zone (KZVV-EZ), and the so-called "Federation Council of 5" .

It criticised these groups as illegitimate and obstacles to peace.

The group further slammed the government's failure to ensure free movement along national highways in both the valley and hill areas, even under President's Rule.

It questioned the Centre's political will to enforce the rule of law in Manipur, drawing comparisons to the situation in Kashmir.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace and non-violent resolution, TIM emphasised that the Thadou people are a distinct ethnic group, separate from Kuki, and rejected any representation that misidentifies Thadou as part of Kuki.

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