UKHRUL: The Haokip Youth Organisation (HYO) directs all Haokips to not participate in organizations “claiming to represent the Thadou tribe, as Thadou is a clan, not a tribe.”
Calling on all Haokips to respect and follow the Haokip Phungpi Council (HPC) and the declarations by the Elders and Chiefs of Haokip in 1987 and 2016, the HYO recalls that Haokip, Kipgen, and Thadou are sons of Pu Thalhun, with Thadou being the youngest.
HYO emphasizes that the 1956 Manipur tribe modification listing Thadou as a tribe was an error which requires revision. This incorrect classification is causing misrepresentation and confusion which the HYO seeks to rectify.
According to HYO, Michael Lamjathang from the Haokip clan has allegedly been misrepresenting himself as a Thadou leader. Lamjathang, due to his close ties with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was rejected from the Kuki community for having harmed the community’s interests, HYO stated.
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The HYO condemns all activities and organizations run by Lamjathang and Singh, “purportedly representing the Thadou clan, including Thadou Inpi Manipur, Thadou Youth International, Thadou Human Rights Advocacy, Thadou Youth Union and Thadou Student Association.“
HYO urges all stakeholders to acknowledge Lamjathang’s “true affiliation with the Haokip clan and not be misled by his false claims.” They have also requested media houses and government officials to “exercise caution and not led credence to Lamjathang Haokip and Biren Singh’s self-styled organizations.”