PRESS STATEMENT
Aizawl, the 16th August, 2025
Thadou Inpi Mizoram Supports Peace and Community Understanding in Manipur
Thadou Inpi Mizoram (TIMZ) is formally announcing its support for a peace initiative aimed at fostering understanding and restoring harmony between the Thadou and Meitei communities in Manipur. This commitment follows the recent (August 6) meeting in Imphal where Thadou representatives were warmly received by Manipur civil society organizations (CSOs), leading to significant progress on key issues.
The longstanding peaceful relationship between the people of Mizoram and Manipur is a source of pride for both states. The Thadou people, a distinct Mizo ethnic group, not Kuki, have strong ties to both regions and are unwavering in their commitment to this shared history of peace. As indigenous members and an integral part of both states, the Thadou people have no political demands to alter the territorial integrity of either state within the Indian Union.
The ongoing crisis in Manipur has, however, created unfortunate and complex challenges for the Thadou and other Zo-fate/Zohnahthlak tribes who have been mistakenly identified as Kuki by the Meiteis and some others. This misidentification has been a source of significant strain and has led to a divisive political climate.
The formation of Zo United on September 6, 2023, under the leadership of the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee, initially offered a path for uniting the Zofate/Zohnahthlak/Zo ethnic groups in Manipur after the 2023 Manipur Crisis. However, the initiative was later abandoned by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a Kuki supremacist body, which withdrew to form the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on July 29, 2024. This move created a separate platform to engage directly with the Government of India, effectively sidelining the Thadou and other Zo ethnic tribes to advance a separatist Kuki political agenda.
Amid the heat of the Manipur violence, there has been a displacement of people from both sides. It is important to note that many people from the Manipur valley continue to reside in Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram, just as people from Mizoram reside in Imphal, underscoring the long-standing peaceful coexistence of our communities.
At the "Road to Peace – Covenant of Understanding" meeting in Imphal on August 6, 2025, the President of Thadou Inpi Mizoram was invited to participate in a dialogue with Manipur CSOs. During the discussions, it was officially acknowledged that the Thadou people are a distinct group and not Kuki, and their safety within Imphal was affirmed.
This meeting marks a crucial step toward peaceful coexistence. Thadou Inpi Mizoram is proud to contribute to this journey of restoration and solidarity. Both parties have agreed to key initiatives, including the call for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1961 as the base year to identify indigenous people, as well as a mutual pledge to uphold each other's integrity and identity.
Thadou Inpi Mizoram's solidarity with this Thadou-Meitei understanding is absolute and will continue to be a cornerstone of our efforts. We believe this is a powerful and positive step forward for lasting peace in the region.
We appeal to the Government of Mizoram to support and facilitate this peace process, especially in strengthening relations between the Thadou, Meitei, and other Zo-fate/ Zohnahthlak tribes in Manipur.
Sd/-
(Amang Thadou)
General Secretary, Thadou Inpi Mizoram
Aizawl, the 16th August, 2025
Thadou Inpi Mizoram Supports Peace and Community Understanding in Manipur
Thadou Inpi Mizoram (TIMZ) is formally announcing its support for a peace initiative aimed at fostering understanding and restoring harmony between the Thadou and Meitei communities in Manipur. This commitment follows the recent (August 6) meeting in Imphal where Thadou representatives were warmly received by Manipur civil society organizations (CSOs), leading to significant progress on key issues.
The longstanding peaceful relationship between the people of Mizoram and Manipur is a source of pride for both states. The Thadou people, a distinct Mizo ethnic group, not Kuki, have strong ties to both regions and are unwavering in their commitment to this shared history of peace. As indigenous members and an integral part of both states, the Thadou people have no political demands to alter the territorial integrity of either state within the Indian Union.
The ongoing crisis in Manipur has, however, created unfortunate and complex challenges for the Thadou and other Zo-fate/Zohnahthlak tribes who have been mistakenly identified as Kuki by the Meiteis and some others. This misidentification has been a source of significant strain and has led to a divisive political climate.
The formation of Zo United on September 6, 2023, under the leadership of the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee, initially offered a path for uniting the Zofate/Zohnahthlak/Zo ethnic groups in Manipur after the 2023 Manipur Crisis. However, the initiative was later abandoned by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a Kuki supremacist body, which withdrew to form the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on July 29, 2024. This move created a separate platform to engage directly with the Government of India, effectively sidelining the Thadou and other Zo ethnic tribes to advance a separatist Kuki political agenda.
Amid the heat of the Manipur violence, there has been a displacement of people from both sides. It is important to note that many people from the Manipur valley continue to reside in Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram, just as people from Mizoram reside in Imphal, underscoring the long-standing peaceful coexistence of our communities.
At the "Road to Peace – Covenant of Understanding" meeting in Imphal on August 6, 2025, the President of Thadou Inpi Mizoram was invited to participate in a dialogue with Manipur CSOs. During the discussions, it was officially acknowledged that the Thadou people are a distinct group and not Kuki, and their safety within Imphal was affirmed.
This meeting marks a crucial step toward peaceful coexistence. Thadou Inpi Mizoram is proud to contribute to this journey of restoration and solidarity. Both parties have agreed to key initiatives, including the call for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1961 as the base year to identify indigenous people, as well as a mutual pledge to uphold each other's integrity and identity.
Thadou Inpi Mizoram's solidarity with this Thadou-Meitei understanding is absolute and will continue to be a cornerstone of our efforts. We believe this is a powerful and positive step forward for lasting peace in the region.
We appeal to the Government of Mizoram to support and facilitate this peace process, especially in strengthening relations between the Thadou, Meitei, and other Zo-fate/ Zohnahthlak tribes in Manipur.
Sd/-
(Amang Thadou)
General Secretary, Thadou Inpi Mizoram
.jpg)
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments not related to the topic will be removed immediately.