Kanggui: The Committee on Tribal Unity, CoTU, the apex civil body of the Kuki people in Kangpokpi district spearheading the movement during the ongoing Manipur conflict, has undergone a major leadership overhaul.
The new leadership was elected during the Annual Review Meeting and Election of New Office Bearers held at Kangpokpi Christian Church, Kangpokpi. The entire review and election process was conducted under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, KISH and Sadar Hills Chiefs Association, SAHILCA.
The meeting was attended by leaders of various civil society organisations and Kuki tribal bodies from across Sadar Hills.
As per the new appointments: Lamminthang Kipgen has been elected as the new Chairman of CoTU. Lunseh Kipgen and Thongjalun Mate have been appointed as Vice Chairmen. N.S. Gangte has been elected as General Secretary while Thangpilun Lhoujem will serve as Assistant Secretary. Nicky Vaiphei has been appointed as Finance Secretary and Manghekam Kipgen has taken charge as Secretary, Information and Media Cell.
Following their election, the newly inducted office bearers were formally entrusted with their responsibilities. A dedication and blessing prayer for the new team was led by Rev. K. Hangshing, Chairman of Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship.
Sources said the reshuffle comes even as the current two year tenure of the committee is still incomplete. The move is seen as a strategic organizational recalibration to strengthen the community’s collective response to the prolonged crisis in Manipur.
It may be recalled that CoTU had undergone a major reformation and reconstitution on August 23, 2025 under the supervision of KISH and SAHILCA, with a provision for a two year tenure subject to an annual performance review. The present leadership change is the first major change triggered by that annual review mechanism.
Meanwhile, CoTU has announced that its cabinet expansion will be held on August 19, 2026, during which induction of new members is expected to further strengthen and broaden the leadership structure.
Background of CoTU and Reasons for its Formation:
The Committee on Tribal Unity was formed in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023. With the state administration failing to protect the lives and properties of the Kuki people in Kangpokpi district, Kuki civil society felt an urgent need for a unified apex body to coordinate the response of the community.
CoTU was formed to serve as the common platform for all Kuki tribes in Sadar Hills to speak in one voice. Its primary objectives are to protect the ancestral land, life and rights of the Kuki people, to document human rights violations and atrocities committed against the community, to coordinate relief and rehabilitation for internally displaced persons, and to lead the political movement for Separate Administration in the form of Union Territory with Legislature.
Since its formation, CoTU has been at the forefront of organizing democratic protests, highway shutdowns, and submission of memorandums to the Government of India, while also engaging with national and international human rights bodies to highlight the plight of the Kuki people.
