The path to lasting peace in Manipur should begin with clarity of identity, rejection of extremists, and a renewed commitment to coexistence. This is the message the apex body of the Thadou tribe, Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), sends today after a dialogue with Meitei CSO members, Ima groups, and student leaders in Imphal.
For the first time since the ethnic conflict that lingers in the state, at least 16 representative leaders of Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) reached out to Imphal to build community understanding and hold dialogue with representatives of COCOMI, AMUCO, FOCS, Ima groups, student leaders, and Arambai Tenggol.
“Thadou Is Not Kuki.”
Kuki is not an ethnic identity; it is a political ideology, according to Thadou Inpi Manipur. Historically and culturally, there is no community known as “Kuki” indigenous to Manipur. The term “Kuki” has foreign origins, and those who adopt it today often do so to push a separatist and extremist ideology. Many who currently identify as Kuki are suspected illegal immigrants, having settled in Manipur in recent decades, according to Thadou Inpi Manipur.
Security was tightened in and around the meeting venue to prevent any unwanted incidents. The dialogue is seen as an important step toward fostering understanding and addressing ongoing tensions between communities.
According to Thadou Inpi Manipur, the 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 the Thadou tribe is a distinct indigenous identity, while the Kuki nomenclature, as used today, has become a politicized and ideological label. The nomenclature “Kuki” is not a genuine ethnic identity.
Over time, church politics and religious affiliations have also played a significant role in misclassifying many members of the Thadou tribe as Kuki, creating further confusion and undermining the true identity of the Thadou people. This has become a threat not only to the Thadou tribe but also to the Meiteis, Meitei-Pangal, other tribal communities, and Manipur’s unity as a whole.
