Chandel: The Kuki History and Identity Protection Committee (KHIPC) has vehemently condemned and rejected the invitation extended by the Government of Manipur to the self-styled Thadou Inpi Manipur for the Two-Day Consultative Meeting-cum-Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur held on August 7-8, 2026 at Classic Grande, Imphal.
In a press statement bearing Ref. No. KHIPC/PR-08/2026 issued by its Information and Publicity Wing today, the Committee termed the invitation a direct insult to the Kuki people and a clear manifestation of the state government’s divide-and-rule policy.
Thadou is a Clan, Not a Tribe: KHIPC
Asserting its historical position, KHIPC stated that Thadou is not a tribe but the youngest clan of the Shongthu lineage. The organization alleged that the recognition of Thadou and Mate — both clans of Shongthu — as separate Scheduled Tribes is a calculated political conspiracy to divide the Kuki people and fragment the unity of the Shongthu lineage.
Due to this politically motivated recognition, more than 25 clans sharing common ancestry, blood, history and similar dialects have been artificially divided into three categories — Thadou tribe, Mate tribe and Any Kuki Tribes — which the committee said is unacceptable.
Thadou Inpi Manipur is Self-Styled: KHIPC
KHIPC further declared that Thadou Inpi Manipur does not represent the Thadou clan nor the Kuki people. It described the body as a self-styled organization with no mandate from the people, no legitimacy in Kuki-inhabited areas, and no authority to speak on behalf of any Kuki clan on matters of demography, land or identity.
Political Stand Unchanged
Reiterating its political position, the committee reminded the Government of Manipur and all concerned that the Kuki community has neither surrendered nor remained silent.
“Our demand for a Separate State and Union Territory with Legislature remains firm and non-negotiable. We remain fully prepared to defend our ancestral land, our identity and our rights against any aggression from the Meitei majoritarian state,” the statement read.
The committee asserted that it is not a party to any consultation that legitimizes what it called the present communal government of Manipur to decide the demographic status or future of the Kukis.
Four-Point Resolution
The KHIPC therefore resolved to:
(a) Condemn the Government of Manipur for engaging a self-styled body to create confusion within the Kuki community;
(b) Declare that any submission or statement made by Thadou Inpi Manipur at the said meeting shall be considered null and void and shall not be binding on the Kuki people in general and the Shongthu lineage in particular;
(c) Warn the Government to cease interfering in the internal clan and lineage affairs of the Kuki people and to respect the identity and land rights of every community;
(d) Appeal to all Kuki Chiefs, civil society organizations, youth and student bodies to remain united and to reject all divisive policies of the State.
The committee concluded that no consultation on the future of Manipur can be legitimate without addressing the core political issue of the Kuki people’s demand for Separate Administration.
The statement ended with a call to “Respect Kuki History, Land, Identity and Unity.”
