TCI hails Imphal meet, slags Kuki violence, Govt inaction
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 09 2025: Thadou Community International (TCI) has extolled the August 6 "Road to Peace" meeting between Thadou and Meetei communities in Imphal as a "grand success" and a historic milestone toward mutual understanding, despite what it described as attempts by "anti-peace" groups to disrupt the event.

Organised jointly by the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the apex body of Thadou tribe, and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the gathering brought together valley-based civil society groups, including AMUCO, FOCS, Arambai Tenggol, six student bodies and Ima Lups.

It culminated in the signing of a "Covenant of Community Understanding" that formally recognised the Thadou tribe's distinct identity, separate from the "Kuki" label, and pledged mutual respect, peace and stability.

In a statement, TCI called the covenant a reflection of "unstoppable" momentum in the Thadou movement to assert its identity, maintaining that the community has been among the most affected but "silenced" victims of the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.An earlier attempt to hold such a meeting on May 6, 2023, was thwarted by "Kuki extremist elements", the statement said.

The covenant followed the 2024 Thadou Convention's declaration that "Thadou is not Kuki", which the group said, remedied decades of suppression of Thadou culture and heritage under an "imposed colonial term".

However, TCI criticised the Government of India after Thadou delegates were allegedly confined at the Classic Hotel in Imphal following the meeting, which the group said was based on misinformation from "Kuki supremacist" groups.

The organisation argued there was no law-and-order issue in the valley, and accused authorities of prioritising political appeasement of certain Kuki factions over supporting grassroots peace efforts.

TCI also condemned what it described as retaliatory violence, alleging that on August 7, members of KNF (N) assaulted Thadou leader Henkai Singsit in Motbung under false suspicion of attending the meeting.

KNF (N) denied involvement but, according to TCI, the KNF (N) statement implied threats against participants.

The group linked the attack to KNF home secretary Jangboi Kipgen, who it said has a history of opposing Thadou identity and blocking delegates from attending the 2024 convention.

TCI accused some non-SoO Kuki militant factions of acting as proxies for SoO groups, and urged authorities to investigate whether militant groups and Kuki civil society organisations have "license" to persecute Thadous.

The group rejected a statement issued on August 8 by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), which denounced the covenant and labelled TIM members "enemies of the Kuki people".

TCI said that TIM represents only the Thadou community and has never claimed to speak for Kukis, accusing KIM of attempting to suppress a wider movement among several tribal groups to assert identities separate from the Kuki label.

TCI cited census data to argue its point: "Thadou" has been recorded as such in Manipur censuses since 1881, while the "Any Kuki Tribes" (AKT) category was created in 2003 and recorded a population of 28,342 in 2011, the only time Kuki population was officially counted.

The group alleged that since 2023, certain Kuki organisations have coerced non-Kuki tribes, including Paite, Vaiphei, Gangte, Hmar, Simte and Kom, to accept the Kuki label, suggesting links between this agenda and the ongoing ethnic violence.

The statement also traced what it called "Kuki supremacist" influence back to the 1970s, accusing leaders like reverend Dr T Lunkim of attempting to rebrand the Thadou Bible as the "Kuki Bible" and promoting divisive ideology with the backing of Kuki militant groups, particularly those under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO).

"Such efforts sought to erase Thadou identity and have radicalized some Thadou individuals over the years, but stressed the community remains committed to non-violence and the Indian Constitution," it contended.

The statement further accused some Kuki groups of exploiting the current ethnic unrest for political and financial gain, citing reports of wealth accumulation and property construction by leaders, including Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, a key figure in the Kuki Separate Administration movement.

TCI alleged that the violence has enabled illegal activities such as drug and arms trafficking and extortion, worsening civilian suffering.

While describing Thadous as a "peace-loving community" with no armed militant groups, TCI said that the tribe has faced systematic persecution by Kuki factions, which it claims operate over 40 armed outfits in Thadou areas.

The organisation criticised the government for failing to enforce constitutional protections even under President's Rule, allowing persecution to continue "unhindered" .

Calling the August 6 event "a new hope" and a step toward correcting historical injustices, TCI reaffirmed the Thadou people's position as a separate and distinct ethnic group and said truth, non-violence and mutual respect remain the best path to lasting peace in Manipur.

The group demanded that the government protect Thadou from persecution, prosecute perpetrators of violence, crack down on Kuki militant organisations, and take action against Kuki-run social media platforms that issue threats against Thadou leaders and their families.

"Despite immense suffering and persecution, the Thadou people have demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience," TCI added.

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