Ukhrul: The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA-GHQ) has firmly rejected the “baseless complaint” filed by Lungoulen Guite, General Secretary of the Thadou Inpi Sadar Hills, against Ashang Kasar. The TSA-GHQ stated that there is no connection between the tragic killing of two individuals in Kamjong district and the Thadou community.
Lungoulen Guite lodged a complaint at the Kangpokpi Police Station, seeking to register an FIR against Ashang Kasar, the Chief Advisor of the Indigenous Peoples Forum, Manipur, for allegedly disseminating misleading information in the media. Guite accused Kasar of causing significant harm to the sentiments and dignity of the families of the deceased, Thengin Baite and Thangboimang Khongsai. He requested an FIR under Sections 196 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complaint was based on remarks made by Ashang Kasar during a panel discussion on Impact TV’s program, “Manung Hutna” (Episode 58: “AFTER MEITEI-KUKI, NAGA-KUKI NEXT?” aired on March 12, 2026).
In its press statement, the TSA-GHQ condemned the complaint, labeling it as a shameless exploitation of the tragic incident involving the two Kuki men, which has no link to the Thadou community. The association criticized the complaint as an attempt to misuse their name for political gain and exacerbate division within the community.
It emphasized that Lungoulen Guite, who is an internally displaced person (IDP) from Imphal, has no authority to represent the Thadou in Kangpokpi district. The TSA described Guite’s “Thadou Inpi – Sadar Hills” as a fraudulent and unrecognized proxy outfit that has been previously condemned by the TSA-GHQ for promoting Kuki supremacist agendas, rather than representing the interests of the Thadou community.
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The TSA pointed out that Ashang Kasar’s remarks were made in the context of escalating Naga-Kuki tensions and argued that invoking BNS Sections 196 and 353(2) is an abuse of the legal process intended to intimidate critics and misrepresent the Thadou community in unrelated communal issues.
“While no Kuki organizations have directly addressed recent incidents with accountability, some factions are opportunistically using the Thadou identity to exploit ethnic tensions and involve our community in unrelated conflicts,” the TSA stated. It described this behavior as a calculated tactic to misrepresent facts and manipulate the Thadou name for ideological battles, similar to misusing shared aspects of Christianity or tribal status to create false solidarity.
The TSA clarified that the Thadou tribe is a distinct entity, constitutionally recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, with its own proud history and identity. They asserted that no impostor or proxy can co-opt or weaponize this identity for their causes.
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“The pattern of misuse, seen in proxy outfits like certain ‘Thadou Inpi’ variants and through misleading representations in media discussions, only serves to foster mistrust and undermine communal harmony in Manipur,” the TSA stated, urging an immediate halt to these actions.
Furthermore, the TSA condemned the complaint as an act of identity theft, harassment, and an assault on free speech and communal harmony. “Guite and his associates must stop misrepresenting the Thadou community immediately or face relentless opposition from TSA and all authentic Thadou institutions,” it warned.
Additionally, the TSA reaffirmed its commitment to defending the autonomy, dignity, and rights of the Thadou people while upholding peace, truth, and constitutional values in Manipur.
“The voice of the Thadou community belongs solely to the Thadou people, not to proxies or opportunists. We demand no more fabrications and no more misuse,” it concluded.
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Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL), taking serious note of the FIR complaint at Kangpokpi Police Station, has urged for its withdrawal.
In a press statement, TAKL stated that the remarks were made in good faith and were directed to the Government with the intention of upholding due process and ensuring justice in accordance with the law. Ashang Kasar had only stated that the identity of the deceased should first be properly verified to determine whether the individual was from Manipur or not.
Stating that a call for proper identification and lawful procedure should not be misinterpreted as misinformation or provocation, the TAKL calls upon the Government to ensure a fair, impartial, and transparent investigation so that justice may prevail.