The Thadou Inpi Assam (TIA) expressed gratitude to the Government of Assam for signing the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with Kuki SoO groups, which aims to end armed militancy and foster democratic engagement. The TIA appreciates the decision of Kuki groups to embrace democracy and establish the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) but highlights ongoing challenges faced by the Thadou community, particularly in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, where they have suffered from violence and coercion by Kuki militants. The Thadou people have experienced attempts to undermine their identity and faced restrictions in cultural participation, such as the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival. The brutal murder of Thadou leader Nehkam Jomhao, with ongoing calls for justice, emphasizes their struggles.
The unresolved Kuki–Thadou conflict from 1992 still significantly affects the Thadou community, which feels that their cultural representation has been threatened. The TIA asserts that the establishment of the KWDC without due recognition of these issues compromises their rights. They emphasize the need to maintain their autonomy under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), asserting that their land cannot fall under the KWDC.
Furthermore, the TIA insists on the protection of the Thadou language and cultural identity from being rebranded as Kuki. They reference the Kaka Kalelkar Commission Report from 1955, demanding that ethnic groups be recognized by their distinct cultural identities. The TIA calls for a formal agreement acknowledging both the Thadou and Kuki identities and ensuring that future political and development policies respect the Thadou community’s self-identification and cultural heritage.
