"Kuki Inpis have no authority over Thadou people"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2025: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) or the Kuki Inpi Karnataka (KIK) has no authority over the Thadou people and their affairs, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has reiterated, cautioning Kuki bodies against issuing diktats and boycotting members of its community.

The Thadou Inpi Manipur's assertion came after the Kuki Inpi Karnataka reportedly targeted three Thadou individuals by boycotting them for participating in a peace talk at Imphal on August 6 .

"The three Thadou individuals targeted by KIK's "social boycott" announcement of August 14, 2025, participated in a lawfill noble initiative: the "Road to Peace: Covenant of Understanding between TIM and Manipur CSOs" on August 6, 2025 .

This was an effort toward community understanding and peaceful coexistence, with no connection to Kuki groups," TIM said in a statement released to the media.

This is an ultimatum to the Kuki Inpi Karnataka (KIK) to immediately withdraw its diktats and social boycott against members of the Thadou tribal community, said the TIM's statement.

"The Thadou community rejects any attempt to impose a Kuki identity upon us.

Thadous are lawful residents and citizens wherever we live, subject only to the Indian Constitution, not to illegal Kuki diktats.

KIK's announcement [of boycott] is baseless, illegal, and without jurisdiction.

TIM will pursue justice against these unlawful dictates to the fullest extent of the law," it said.

The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) is the supreme body of the Thadou tribe in Manipur, and the Thadou people are a distinct tribal community, it added.

"We are not Kuki, nor are we part of the "Any Kuki tribes" category on Manipur's Scheduled Tribes' list.

The Thadous have our own recognized apex body, the Tliadou Inpi Manipur, and no Kuki organization, including the Kuki Inpi Karnataka or Kuki Inpi Manipur, has any authority over the Thadou people or their affairs, whether collectively or individually," TIM asserted.

While the Kuki Inpi may hold authority over its members, they have none over the Thadou tribal community.

Kuki Inpi Karnataka must withdraw their diktats within 48 hours.

Failure to do so will be considered a direct affront to the Constitution of India and the rights of the Thadou people.

In that event, TIM will be compelled to seek immediate justice from the Constitutional authorities of India, it cautioned.

"The actions of the Kuki Inpi Karnataka are in direct violation of the Indian Constitution and its laws, and a profound threat to the Constitutional and democratic integrity of our Nation, India," TIM said.

"We demand a public clarification from Kuki Inpi Karnataka, Kuki Inpi Manipur and any like-minded group, regarding their stance on Indian citizenship.

If they believe they are above the laws of India, they must publicly declare their Nationality or citizenship.

The Thadou people are resolute in our commitment to upholding the Constitution of India, protecting the rights and identity of our community, and fostering enduring peace in Manipur and all over India," TIM said, questioning the authority of any Kuki groups seeking to impose their will and dictate terms upon the Thadou community against their will.

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