Thadou Inpi Manipur States Its Position on Kuki-Zo ‘Referendum’

Ukhrul, Mar 17: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has issued a 7-point statement ‘in response to the sensational social media reports regarding the invitation extended to some Thadou individuals to participate in the bizarre Kuki-Zo referendum for a separate administration or Union Territory’.

Thadou Inpi Manipur stated that, as the apex body of the Thadou tribe in Manipur, it was compelled to issue its position on the matter as below:

1. The Constitution of India does not permit any organization or group to conduct a referendum within the sovereign territory of India unless expressly authorized by an Act of Parliament. Such unauthorized exercise is illegal, unconstitutional, and without any legal standing, be it a separate administration within the Indian Union or separation from India.

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2. While the said Kuki ‘referendum’, reportedly sponsored by the so-called Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), sounds more like an attention-seeking political or media stunt with no legality or validity, it has the potential to attract serious legal repercussions against the organizers and individual participants, for such an exercise could potentially be deemed by the Indian public, or Indian government, or Indian Court as anti-national, or foreign influence of anti-India forces, or unlawful or secessionist activity, or a punishable offense.

3. Regardless of the fact that this ‘referendum’ exercise is unconstitutional, illegitimate, or illegal, there is a possibility that members of the community and public may participate in the exercise, either by choice or coercion, if held due to ignorance and disinformation or misinformation.

4. Thadou Inpi Manipur hereby issues this advisory to all members of the Thadou community against supporting or participating in the said ‘referendum’, and to stay away from the exercise in order to avoid getting into unnecessary problems.

5. Given the distinct historical, social, and cultural identity of the Thadou community, as law-abiding, peace-loving citizens of India, we cannot and will not align ourselves with such an anti-national political movement or activity that does not reflect our principles and aspirations. Accordingly, no Thadou individuals should participate in this Kuki ‘referendum’ exercise or share personal information for this campaign.

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6. In case any Thadou individual fails to comply with this advisory and is found involved in the said referendum, TIM shall not bear responsibility for any consequences arising out of it.

7. Thadou Inpi Manipur urges all members of the Thadou community to remain vigilant and united in safeguarding our heritage and political integrity as citizens of India. Furthermore, we call upon the authorities to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of misleading narratives that have the potential to cause violence, hatred, and unnecessary divisions among members and communities of Manipur society and the broader Indian society.

The Thadou Inpi Manipur ended by stating its declaration adopted in the Thadou Convention Declaration, 2024, which read, “Thadou is a distinct ethnic group of people. Thadou is not Kuki, or underneath Kuki, or part of Kuki, but a separate, independent entity from Kuki. Any organization that incorporates ‘Thadou’ but espouses Kuki and mis-portrays Thadou as Kuki or a part of Kuki is illegitimate and does not represent Thadou people and interest.”

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