Thadou Community Urges Manipur CM to Address Tribal Identity in Wake of Violence

GG News Bureau
Imphal, 16th August. The Thadou Community International (TCI) has expressed support for Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s recent assembly statement affirming that all communities are working towards peace, except for a few agenda-driven leaders. The statement, which followed a midnight mob attack on doctors at RG Kar Medical College, has been seen as a positive step towards addressing the ethnic violence affecting the state.

In an open letter dated August 8, the TCI highlighted concerns over “inaccurate” references to the Thadou tribe by leaders and media. The TCI urged Chief Minister Singh to acknowledge these concerns in the assembly and support their proposition. They stressed that the Thadou tribe is distinct from the Kuki tribe, a point of contention given the broader term “Kuki” used by the British and its inclusion in official lists.

During the assembly session on August 12, Singh remarked that the violence was perpetrated by a few individuals and emphasized that not all Thadou, Paite, or Hmar people were involved. Singh referred to a peace meeting on August 1 between Meitei and Hmar representatives, highlighting their agreement to address issues such as drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and his commitment to inviting Thadou and Hmar leaders for further discussions.

Singh also addressed the issue of tribal identity, stating that the government was working on core issues and encouraging people not to be swayed by political rhetoric. The Chief Minister’s comments aimed to foster unity and dispel misinformation surrounding the ethnic conflict.

T Michael Lamjathang Haokip, a BJP spokesperson from the Thadou tribe, supported the TCI’s call for the removal of “Any Kuki Tribe” from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, citing concerns over misuse and exploitation of the tribal designation. The TCI claims that the term was fraudulently added to the ST list in 2003 and has been exploited for political gain.

With over 220 deaths and nearly 50,000 people displaced in the ongoing violence, the TCI and other groups advocate for inclusive talks and identification of troublemakers to achieve lasting peace. The Meitei community seeks Scheduled Tribes status, while the tribes from hill districts desire a separate administration to address perceived discrimination and resource disparities.