Guwahati, May 3: In a rare show of consensus amid the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, civil society organisations representing the Thadou and Meitei communities have issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the integrity and unity of the state. The joint declaration emerged from an academic forum held on April 10 at the India International Centre, New Delhi, titled “Ethnic Identity and Conflict in Manipur.”
The event, co-hosted by Thadou Inpi Manipur and Thadou Students’ Association along with Meitei Heritage Society, Delhi Manipuri Society, and Ningol United Progressive Initiative, brought together community leaders, scholars, and activists for a critical dialogue on inter-ethnic understanding and cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed the historic March 7, 2025, community understanding between Thadou and Meitei groups, which laid the groundwork for peaceful co-existence and collaborative resolution of inter-community issues in the wake of Manipur’s prolonged ethnic crisis.
Both communities jointly urged the Government of India to expedite the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, citing the need to identify illegal immigrants and protect the demographic integrity of indigenous communities.
In a sharp stance, the joint statement calls for the deletion of “Any Kuki Tribes” (AKT) from the Scheduled Tribes list, alleging the term is unconstitutional, ambiguous, and exploited by illegal immigrants to obtain undeserved benefits. They argue that AKT was politically inserted into the list in 2003 and has since facilitated illegal settlement and “Kuki Supremacism” at the expense of national security and state unity.
The declaration emphasized that the Thadou are a distinct ethnic group and do not fall under the “Kuki” classification. Both parties agreed that the term “Kuki” is a colonial-era construct now used by vested interests to further separatist agendas.
The Thadou and Meitei organisations accused Kuki militant groups and their fronts of violating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, using it as cover to commit violence against unarmed civilians. They echoed the Manipur Legislative Assembly’s resolution demanding SoO’s revocation, urging the Centre to terminate the pact immediately.
The joint statement expressed support for the Ministry of Home Affairs’ initiatives to ensure free and safe movement across all parts of Manipur, including highways connecting the hills and valley. It also called for the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with adequate compensation and protection.
Both communities encouraged other civil society groups in Manipur to foster mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and long-term peace based on justice, identity recognition, and shared coexistence.
The joint declaration marks a significant shift in inter-ethnic dynamics in Manipur and could potentially influence policy decisions at the state and national levels amid ongoing instability and demographic disputes.
