Body not to be claimed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2025: The Thadou community has resolved not to claim the remains of Nehkam Jomhao and hold the last rites "until justice is delivered" .

A leader of the Thadou community, Nehkam Jomhao was tortured and killed by cadres of SoO Kuki militant groups, KRA, UKDA and KLA on the night of August 30 in Manja, Karbi Anglong, Assam.

The Thadou Inpi Assam (TIA), along with the Thadou Women's Association, Thadou Literature Society, and Thadou Students' Association have, meanwhile, submitted a charter of demands to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma; the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council; Union Home Secretary, Government of India; Advisor (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs; and the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.

In the memorandum they submitted, the Thadou Inpi Assam and other bodies demanded an NIA inquiry into the case.

They urged the Government to "immediately transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency to probe systematic persecution and militant links with Manipur violence" .

The Government must safeguard Thadou rights against forced imposition of Kuki identity, and facilitate a Kuki-Thadou Memorandum of Understanding under Assam Govt's supervision and with GoI's knowledge, they said.

The SoO agreement with the KRA, UKDA, KLA must be ended and the "Manipur-based militants" must be flush out from Assam.

Militant camps must be relocated outside sensitive areas.

Further, the masterminds and leaders of the KRA, UKDA, KLA, and the Kuki National Assembly Assam involved in the killing of Nehkarn Jomhao must be arrested, said the Thadou organisations.

They further urged the Government to provide ex-gratia, offer a compassionate appointment to Jomhao's next of kin, and establish a Nehkam Thadou Peace Memorial in Karbi Anglong in his honour.

The Thadou community has suffered repeated persecution and violence by Kuki militants since the Kuki-Thadou ethnic clashes of 1992-1993, when Jomhao's own elder brother was killed for his identity.

His murder on August 30 reflects a pattern of Kuki militants targeting Thadou voices of peace and identity, said TIA.

Despite this tragedy, the Thadou community stands for truth, justice, and nonviolent resolution.

This protest is not defiance against the State but a cry for justice, dignity, and security, it said.

"The Thadou Inpi Assam and its allied bodies call upon the Government of Assam and the Government of India to act urgently, deliver justice, and restore harmony among communities in Karbi Anglong and Assam," TIA said.

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