Newmai News Network
Imphal: The Thadou Community International (TCI) has addressed a press communique issued by the Kuki National Front (KNF), a Suspension of Operation (SoO) group, which criticized TCI’s stance on the distinct identity of Thadou. The KNF’s statement, released on November 4, alleged that the declaration from the recent Thadou Convention, which asserts that Thadou is not Kuki, seeks to divide the community.
In a statement today, TCI clarified that the organization, founded in August 2024, was established to represent and support Thadou communities worldwide, including those in Manipur, and to preserve Thadou’s distinct cultural and ethnic identity. TCI emphasized that its mission is non-political and focuses on the rights and dignity of the Thadou people.
The TCI criticized the KNF’s statement, which implied that Thadou’s disassociation from the “Kuki” identity could be divisive. According to TCI, Kuki unity as an umbrella group is outdated, noting that several kindred tribes, including the Paite, Vaiphei, and Zou, now identify under the collective “Zomi” nomenclature instead of Kuki.
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Responding to the KNF’s stance on separate administration in the name of Kuki, TCI clarified that it has no political stance on this demand, urging all stakeholders to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis in Manipur. However, TCI expressed concern over implied threats within the KNF’s statement, which included reference to potential “extreme actions” for non-compliance. TCI condemned any form of intimidation or coercion, calling it inconsistent with a democratic society and the Indian Constitution’s guarantees of dignity and identity under Article 21.
The TCI reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue and urged the KNF to respect the distinct identity of Thadous without imposing a Kuki affiliation.
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