Kuki Committee Rejects Manipur Demography Meet as Divisive

Lamka, August 10, 2026: The Kuki History and Identity Protection Committee (KHIPC) has strongly opposed the Manipur Government’s invitation to the self-styled Thadou Inpi Manipur to participate in a two-day consultative meeting on the demographic profile of Manipur.

In a press statement dated August 8, the committee rejected the consultation scheduled for August 7–8 at Classic Grande, Imphal, describing the government’s invitation as an “insult” to the Kuki people and alleging that it reflected a “divide-and-rule policy” towards the Kuki community.

The committee asserted that Thadou is not a separate tribe but the youngest clan of the Shongthu lineage. It claimed that the recognition of Thadou and Mate as separate Scheduled Tribes was a politically motivated attempt to divide the Kuki people and fragment the unity of the Shongthu lineage.

According to the committee, more than 25 clans sharing common ancestry, history, blood ties and similar dialects have been categorised into three groups—Thadou, Mate and other Kuki tribes. The committee termed the development unacceptable.

The KHIPC also questioned the representative status of Thadou Inpi Manipur, stating that the organisation has no mandate from the wider Kuki people and no authority to speak on behalf of Kuki clans on matters concerning demography, land and identity.

In a separate resolution, the committee said it was not a party to any consultation that, in its view, legitimises the present Manipur Government to determine the demographic status or future of the Kuki people.

It further declared that any submission or statement made by Thadou Inpi Manipur at such a meeting would be considered “null and void” and would not be binding on the Kuki people in general or the Shongthu lineage in particular.

The committee urged the Manipur Government to refrain from interfering in what it described as the internal clan and lineage affairs of the Kuki people and called upon Kuki chiefs, civil society organisations, youth and student bodies to remain united.

Reiterating its political position, the KHIPC said the Kuki community’s demand for a separate political arrangement remains unchanged and non-negotiable. It stated that consultations on the future of Manipur cannot be considered legitimate without addressing the Kuki people’s political demand.

The committee concluded by calling for respect for Kuki history, land, identity and unity.