UKHRUL: The Kuki History and Identity Protection Committee (KHIPC) on Monday informed that the Kuki community has disowned Michael Lamjathang Haokip and James Haokip for their alleged divisive activities.
In a statement, the KHIPC stated that Michael Lamjathang Haokip and James Haokip are not of the Thadou clan. “They are actually members of the Haokip clan who have been disowned by the Kuki community and expelled from their lands and society due to their malicious intentions and actions against the community,” it stated.
The KHIPC alleged that the two individuals are currently hiding in Imphal with the alleged support of former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who has been backing their divisive activities.
“Under Biren Singh’s guidance, they have created self-styled organisations such as Thadou Students Association (TSA), Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA), Thadou Youth Union (TYU), and Thadou Community International (TCI), using these platforms to make false statements and press releases against the Kuki community, exacerbating tensions and spreading misinformation,” KHIPC stated.
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“Haokip and Kipgen are elder brothers of Thadou, and Thadou is the youngest son of Thalun. Thadou is a clan that cannot encompass other clans into a tribe,” it stated.
It further claimed that the 1956 recognition of the Thadou clan as a tribe by the Manipur state government, led by (late) Lunneh Thadou, was a significant mistake that contributed to the breakdown of unity and relations among the descendants of Shongthu/Shongja.
“Lotjem, Haokip, Khongsai, Misao, Changsan, Haolai, Guite, Mate, Lhanghal, Touthang, Kilong, Lhungdim, Lupho, Dimngel, Lunkim, Baite, Thadou, Baite, Lienthang,etc., are not tribes, but clans, sharing similar dialects, culture, and tradition as descendants of Shongthu/Shongja. They should form a tribe under one umbrella, promoting unity and solidarity among the Shongthu/Shongja, and working together for the betterment of their people and land,” KHIPC added.
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Alleging that Michael Lamjathang Haokip and James Haokip as puppets of N Biren Singh and the Meitei community, KHIPC urged the public, government, and media houses to be cautious of their malicious intentions and to verify information before accepting or publishing it, while adding that the Kuki community has disassociated itself from the two individuals.