TIM Delegation Meets Home Ministry Adviser, Seeks Lasting Peace in Manipur

New Delhi- The leadership team of Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), led by its president and general secretary, met with AK Mishra, the Home Ministry’s adviser for the northeast, to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur and present a peace roadmap, TIM said in a statement.

The delegation highlighted the sufferings of the Thadou tribe, which it described as the most affected yet overlooked victims of the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. TIM also emphasized that Thadou is a distinct and independent entity, separate from the Kuki community.

Thadou’s Distinct Identity and Role in Peace Efforts

TIM alleged that Thadou people have faced persecution at the hands of Kuki supremacist forces, including armed militant groups and their affiliated civil organizations, for decades. The delegation also stressed the critical role of the Thadou community in peace-building efforts, despite facing threats and violent attacks from anti-peace factions.

During the meeting, AK Mishra acknowledged the concerns raised by TIM, particularly the prevailing misconception that Thadou is a subset of the Kuki community. He expressed respect for the Thadou identity and recognized the tribe as an important stakeholder in achieving lasting peace in Manipur.

Longstanding Ethnic Tensions

The conflict between Kuki tribes and Meiteis since May 2023 has resulted in over 250 deaths and 50,000 people being displaced. The dispute revolves around land rights, political representation, and ethnic identity.

TIM reiterated a resolution passed during last year’s Thadou Convention in Guwahati, which declared that any organization linking Thadou to Kuki was illegitimate and did not represent the true interests of the Thadou people.

As ethnic tensions persist in Manipur, the role of the Thadou community in peace negotiations remains crucial for achieving long-term stability in the region.