Imphal, September 27: The Thadou voice is set to return on the airwaves of All India Radio (AIR) Imphal, as the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) pushes for the revival of its Thadou Unit, a move tied deeply to the recent loss of a peace leader.
TIM has written to the Chief Secretary of Manipur, the Director General of All India Radio in New Delhi, and the Station Director of AIR Imphal, seeking the resumption of the Thadou-language broadcast.
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The initiative follows the assassination of Thadou leader Nehkam Jomhao, remembered today as a Manipur Peace Martyr. He was killed on August 31 at Manja in Karbi Anglong, Assam, by Kuki militants for taking part in peace meetings aimed at bridging divides among communities. His death, TIM said, highlights both the risks faced by peace advocates and the Thadou community’s continued commitment to justice, non-violence, and the territorial integrity of Manipur.
The demand to revive the Thadou Unit is also rooted in the “Road to Peace, Covenant of Community Understanding”, signed on August 6 this year. The agreement brought together the Thadou, Meitei, and other communities to mend misunderstandings and promote respect. For TIM, restarting the broadcasts is not just about radio, it’s about preserving Thadou identity, language, and literature while fostering reconciliation.
The Thadou program once held the largest share of tribal language broadcasting in the state, with a 30-minute daily slot. After a meeting with AIR Imphal officials on September 25, TIM confirmed that the station had agreed to resume the service, assuring security and full cooperation.
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As part of the preparations, all 18 staff members of the Thadou Unit have been asked to report to the Vice-President of TIM by October 15 to discuss the relaunch and reaffirm their role in keeping the program alive.
For many, the revival of the Thadou broadcasts is more than a cultural restoration, it is a tribute to Nehkam Jomhao’s sacrifice and a step toward lasting peace in Manipur.