Latest news with #RoadtoPeace
NDTV
10-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Assam Thadou Tribe Chief Defends Manipur Peace Meet, Calls For Unity
Imphal/Guwahati: A Thadou tribe chief of a village in Assam's Dima Hasao has strongly condemned threats and online abuse against him for attending an event themed on peace in Manipur's capital Imphal. The event 'Road to Peace' held on August 6 marked the first meeting between Meitei community and Thadou tribe representatives in over two years since Meitei-Kuki ethnic clashes began. Samuel Chonkholal Lhouvum, the chief of Khomunnom village in Assam's Dima Hasao district, in a statement on Sunday said he voluntarily participated in the event to endorse the people of Manipur acknowledging the Thadou tribe's distinct identity. "No degree of online trolling, misinformation, or personal threats will deter me from upholding the Thadou's distinct identity or from supporting genuine peace initiatives in Manipur," he said. "I call upon all concerned to refrain from provocative statements and to actively contribute towards the path of peaceful understanding," he added. "I wholeheartedly support this initiative on humanitarian grounds and affirm my unwavering commitment to this initiative." During the event, the Thadou Inpi Manipur and Meitei civil society organisations like the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) agreed on the need to remove misunderstandings and work toward equity for all communities of the border state. However, the Thadou Inpi Manipur's stand that Thadou is a distinct tribe and not part of the larger Kuki nomenclature has invited criticism from Kuki groups that assert the Thadou tribe is very much a part of the Kuki umbrella. These Kuki groups are leading the call for a separate administration carved out of Manipur, which the Thadou Inpi Manipur do not support. Mr Lhouvum, the Thadou tribe chief from Assam, said it "saddened" him to see Thadou people misidentified as Kuki - "leading to victimisation and silencing under both Kuki supremacist pressures and Meitei community anger." "Despite the loss of lives and properties among my own kin and across all communities, I resolve to work towards genuine community understanding between the Thadou and Meitei peoples and others and I extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to all victims without distinction," he said. After the 'Road to Peace' meeting in Imphal ended, posts on Kuki social media pages and accounts threatened "action" against Mr Lhouvum. A number of Kuki insurgents operate in some pockets of Assam under different banners including United Kukigam Defence Army (UKDA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA-Assam), and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA-Assam). "Following two years of consistent effort, the leadership of Thadou Inpi Manipur successfully convened the Road to Peace covenant of understanding meeting. Upon learning of this historic development, I voluntarily requested to participate, as leaders from Thadou Inpi Dima Hasao, Thadou Inpi Karbi Anglong, and Thadou Inpi Assam were also invited to attend," Mr Lhouvum said. Mr Lhouvum said his village, Khomunnom, has been covered by Thadou Mauzadar (established in 1886) under the NC Hills Autonomous Council in Dima Hasao district. "My ancestors have been born Thadou and have died Thadou. The Thadou are a distinct and indigenous ethnic group and have never been, nor will ever be, subsumed under the so-called 'Kuki', notwithstanding certain erroneous references by colonial writers and researchers," the Thadou village chief said. "I also take pride in the fact that the Thadou are the largest tribe in Manipur and the second-largest community after the Meitei. The indigenous presence of the Thadou in Manipur is of paramount importance, and I fully support and wish for the peaceful coexistence of various communities in the state of Manipur without affecting its territorial integrity," he said. The valley-dominant Meitei community and over a dozen distinct tribes collectively known as Kuki, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 were killed and nearly 50,000 were displaced. Some internally displaced people have started returning home. There has been no report of large-scale violence for many months now.
NDTV
08-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Meitei Alliance, Thadou Tribe Body Call For More Meetings For Peace In Manipur
Imphal: The top umbrella body of Meitei civil society organisations from across the globe has called for frequent meetings of all communities in Manipur to bring understanding, peace and rule of law. The Meitei Alliance in a statement on Friday said the first meeting of Meitei civil society organisations and a delegation of the indigenous distinct Thadou tribe in the state capital Imphal "serves as a meaningful model for inclusive dialogue, accountability, and rule of law." "The Meitei Alliance extends heartfelt appreciation to all the civil society organisations including - COCOMI, AMUCO, FOCS, Arambai Tenggol, various Ima groups, and student bodies - who, despite significant challenges, came together with Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) to organise the historic 'Road to Peace' meeting in Imphal," it said. "This event marks a major milestone in our collective journey toward unity, justice, and lasting peace. By safeguarding the enduring spirit of pluralism, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence that has long defined Manipur's unique social fabric, this initiative reaffirms the rich cultural heritage shared across ethnic lines and the idea of Manipur where communities live together in harmony," the Meitei Alliance said. It appreciated the Thadou Inpi Manipur's consistent stand for preservation and promotion of Manipur as a cohesive, inclusive, and harmonious multi-ethnic society. "Their principled commitment to the peaceful coexistence of all communities of Manipur deserves recognition and appreciation," the Meitei Alliance said, adding it hopes the event will serve as a foundation for many more such much-needed initiatives in the days ahead. The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has also expressed "wholehearted support for the historic covenant of understanding between the Thadou and Meitei communities on August 6, 2025 by the warm reception of the Thadou people in Imphal." "This moment is more than symbolic, it is a landmark achievement in the long and painful journey toward truth, recognition, and indigenous solidarity in Manipur," the TSA-GHQ said in a statement. The TSA more importantly drew attention to what it called "misindentification" of their position amid the Manipur crisis. "... Our position was misunderstood and misrepresented, both by sections of the Meitei and those people identifying as Kuki in the state. It is important to highlight that there is currently no operational TSA unit in Manipur, owing to threats and intimidation by Kuki supremacist groups," the TSA-GHQ said. TSA Support Thadou-Meitei Covenant of Understanding and Indigenous Unity in Manipur MEDIA RELEASE Friday, August 8, 2025 The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) extends its sincere appreciation and wholehearted support for the historic covenant of understanding between the... — Thadou Students' Association (@TSA_GHQ) August 8, 2025 "The TSA office at Taloulong was forcibly closed by the village chief on May 2, 2023, a day before the outbreak of conflict, due to his anti-Meitei position and opposition to engagement with the state government. Further, on September 28, 2023, the Kuki militants, directly threatened our TSA Sadar Hills leaders with violence, explicitly forbidding them from attending the 66th TSA General Assembly in Guwahati. These acts reflect the grave suppression and persecution faced by the Thadou community from armed Kuki groups and the systematic effort to silence our student body and leadership," the TSA-GHQ said. "Today, however, marks a turning point. The Meitei community, through Manipur CSOs, student organisations, Ema groups and other civil society leaders, has recognised our pain, understood our distinct Thadou identity that Thadou is not Kuki, and welcomed us back with respect. This act of goodwill and mutual understanding is deeply appreciated by TSA and the entire Thadou community. We thank the Manipur CSOs and Meitei people for their wisdom and courage to distinguish truth from propaganda," it said.
NDTV
06-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Thadou Tribe, Meiteis, Other Communities Share Stage In Imphal For Peace
Imphal: Delegations of the Thadou tribe and civil society organisations including from the Meitei community met in Manipur's capital Imphal on Wednesday in a significant step at demonstrating the resilience of the common people in overcoming hate and misunderstanding, the attendees told reporters. After landing at Imphal airport, members of the Thadou tribe delegation drove to the venue in the heart of Imphal city, where people from the Meitei community and others welcomed them. The stillness of the venue disappeared as the greetings and handshakes began. The bold step taken by the delegation of the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), a key body of the indigenous distinct Thadou tribe, received goodwill and support from many communities, a leader of the delegation said. Many in the security establishment also viewed the meeting positively, sources said. Members of the Meitei organisations said the Imphal meeting marked the first time in over two years when multi-ethnic delegations shared a stage in the capital city and agreed on the need to remove misunderstandings and work toward equity for all communities of the border state. "We hope today's meeting will encourage all indigenous distinct tribes and communities to take a similar stand and safeguard Manipur's democratic and multi-ethnic identity," a member of the Meitei delegation said. All are hopeful some kind of concrete steps will be taken for the benefit of all indigenous communities as the delegates begin meeting more often. Members of the Thadou tribe delegation said there are many smaller distinct tribes in the state that believe in peaceful co-existence, but they have been unable to break free from the firm hold of a few armed troublemakers who want only political power and amassing wealth. "A major source of confusion between the Thadou tribe and those identifying as Kuki tribes arises from the similarities in attire and cultural expressions. However, it is crucial to understand that Thadou tribe is a distinct indigenous identity, while the Kuki nomenclature, as used today, has become a politicised and ideological label. The nomenclature Kuki is not a genuine ethnic identity," the Thadou Inpi Manipur said in a statement after the meeting. "We must not mistake external appearances for identity. Wearing similar attire does not equate to being the same people. The appropriation of Thadou culture by Kuki-identifying groups is misleading and harmful," the Thadou Inpi Manipur said. "... So, this issue must be addressed thoughtfully, lawfully, and patiently for the greater good of Manipur," it said. Media Advisory | Aug 6, 2025 For today's Road to Peace event, media are kindly requested not to use "Kuki" when referring to delegates. Use: Thadou tribe or Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) only. Accurate identity matters. Report responsibly. — THADOU INPI MANIPUR (@ThadouInpi_MN) August 6, 2025 The Thadou Inpi Manipur leaders said the Thadou tribe has been resisting attempts by "Kuki supremacists" to assume the Thadou entity for decades. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) hosted the meeting.
