The Thadou Community International (TCI) has rejected the misconception of Manipur as a “tri-ethnic state” of Kuki, Naga, and Meitei, labeling this narrative as a harmful fabrication that distorts public understanding and perpetuates division, instability, and violence. TCI emphasizes that Manipur is a multi-ethnic state comprising Meitei, Meitei-Pangal, Scheduled Tribes, and other communities with deep historical roots, and any reduction of this diversity into a tri-ethnic model constitutes ethnic erasure. The organization stresses the importance of acknowledging indigenous identities accurately and states that such recognition is crucial for fostering peace.
TCI also criticizes the misuse of ethnic labels, particularly the blanket application of “Kuki” to various non-Kuki Scheduled Tribe communities, undermining their distinct identities and contributing to the ongoing Manipur crisis. It warns of a troubling rise in radicalization among Kuki-identifying individuals, posing a significant threat. TCI calls for state institutions to abandon the tri-ethnic framework, which reinforces mistrust and undermines peace efforts, highlighting that Manipur’s indigenous peoples are constitutionally recognized as distinct groups.
The document argues there is no officially recognized indigenous group called “Kuki” in Manipur; this term has been politically motivated since its addition to the Scheduled Tribe list in 2003. The TCI points out that the historical identities of Thadou and other indigenous communities are recognized in Myanmar, contrasting the undefined ethnic status of “Kuki.” The ongoing ethnic conflicts in Manipur are attributed to the misidentification linked to Kuki supremacist agendas.
In summary, TCI calls for recognition of Manipur’s multi-ethnic composition and accurate labeling of ethnic communities. Until these identities are clarified, the root causes of the conflict will persist, continuing to affect stability and harmony in the region.
