UKHRUL: The Thadou Inpi Assam on Monday reiterated that the Thadou tribe is not a part of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) and called upon the Government of Assam to ensure that all development policies and political arrangements fully respect the self-identification, cultural rights, and historical identity of the Thadou people.
Thadou Inpi Assam, in a statement, expressedits appreciation to the Assam government for its initiative to bring an end to armed militancy in the state through the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with the Kuki SoO groups on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
“The effort to end the culture of violence and bring armed groups into the democratic mainstream is a positive and welcome step toward lasting peace, stability, and development in the hill districts of Assam,” it stated, while ading that the Thadou Inpi Assam acknowledge the decision of the Kuki armed groups to abandon militancy and participate in democratic processes, including the establishment of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) under the MoS.
It expressed hope that the political settlement will mark the end of coercion, supremacy, and intimidation that have affected communities in the region.
It claimed that the Thadou people of Assam, particularly in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, have long suffered from unlawful activities carried out by armed groups, especially Kuki militant outfits, even during the period of Suspension of Operations (SoO). The Thadou community has often faced coercive attempts by certain elements seeking to subsume the distinct Thadou identity under the “Kuki” label, it stated.
It further mentioned that in 2025, attempts were made to prevent Thadou people from Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts from participating in the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival in Guwahati, due to direct diktats from Kuki SoO militant groups and their associated organisations, such as Kuki Inpi Assam.
It lamented that justice has not been fully served yet in the Nehkam Jomhao murder case. Nehkam Jomhao, chairman of the Thadou Literature Society, Assam, was reportedly abducted, tortured, mutilated, and drowned in a river on August 30, 2025 for “pursuing dialogue, peace, and the dignity” of the Thadou community.
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“Justice for this heinous crime has not yet been fully served, as the masterminds behind these Kuki militant groups remain at large despite the arrest of some cadres,” it stated.
It also cited the 1992 Kuki–Thadou conflict in Assam, alleging that the conflict remains unresolved, arising from disputes over identity and cultural representation.
“During that period, many in the Thadou community lost their lives and experienced intimidation and coercion, with their identity being pressured under the shadow of armed Kuki militancy. These historical grievances remain sensitive and require sincere dialogue and recognition,” it asserted.
Thadou Inpi Assam also alleged that Kuki militants from Manipur, who came with the purpose of suppressing Thadou cultural identity, have now been given recognition and legitimacy through the creation of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council by the Government of Assam, without a proper understanding of the issue.
“As a result, the people of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong interests have been compromised by the Assam Government in favor of the Kuki militant groups,” it alleged.
Thadou Inpi Assam further reiterated that the Thadou people will continue to remain under the constitutional administrative frameworks of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), under the State of Assam and stated that the lands and villages inhabited by the Thadou people cannot be placed under the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) under any circumstances as they fall within the jurisdictions of KAAC and NCHAC.
Stating that the MoS document lists several Thadou villages, including Lower Bolsol, Upper Bolsol, Mongon, Lhanghoi, N. Leikul, Old Ngalsong, Molnom, etc. (in Dima Hasao), and Thadou Veng, Molkhang, Mongjang, Khaibung, Songjang, Vongjang, Hengbung, Salemphai, Mimbung, Leikot, Maokot, Kotlen, Bungjol, Phailong, etc. (in Karbi Anglong), as Kuki villages, the Thadou Inpi Assam urged the Assam government of Assam to exclude these Thadou villages from the proposed KWDC, as they are historically recognized Thadou villages under Thadou Mauzadar jurisdictions and traditional Thadou areas covered by KAAC and NCHAC.
It further added that the Thadou language and cultural identity must be protected and respected.
“The long-standing All India Radio (AIR) Thadou language programme must not be renamed or replaced as a “Kuki language programme.” Likewise, the cultural heritage of the Thadou people—including traditional shawls, attire, customs, and cultural symbols—must not be portrayed or rebranded as “Kuki cultural identity,” it stated, adding that all ethnic and cultural identity of the Thadou people must not be renamed or subsumed as “Kuki.”
“The government must respect the indigenous Thadou identity in the Autonomous Districts of Assam, and recognize that the distinct Thadou identity is paramount and must be preserved,” it stated.
It also mentioned that, in compliance with the Kaka Kalelkar Commission Report of 1955 (Backward Classes Commission, Government of India), tribes in the hill areas of Assam (undivided) and Manipur were recommended to be identified and listed according to their own distinct names based on their linguistic and cultural identities, rather than being grouped under terms such as “Kuki,” “Naga,” or “Lushai.”
In line with this principle, the Thadou community should be “distinctly recognized” and listed separately from “Any Kuki tribes” in the autonomous districts of Assam, similar to the manner in which the state of Manipur complied, while Assam did not under the ST & SC Amendment Act, 1956. The ST lists of Assam were subsequently carried forward to the states of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, upon bifurcation which has today created confusion in the newly created states carved out of Assam, it added.
Thadou Inpi Assam also urged the Government of Assam to facilitate a written Community Understanding between the Thadou tribe and the Kuki tribe of Assam, clearly recognizing the distinct identity, cultural rights, and traditional areas of both communities.