Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: The Thadou Students’ Association has issued a call for all indigenous communities in Manipur to unite against what it describes as Kuki supremacy and extremism. The organization argues that the current political climate, driven by separatist ideologies, threatens the safety and stability of all local groups, including Meitei, Naga, Zomi, Hmar, Pangal, and Mizo populations.
The association contends that Kuki is not an ethnic identity but rather a political movement. It points to social media campaigns and public discourse that incorrectly equate the Thadou people with the Kuki identity, arguing that these narratives rely on historical misunderstandings. According to the TSA, the confusion stems from colonial-era translations of the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the royal chronicle of Manipur kings. In these records, the Thadou people were originally identified as Khongjai, but translators later substituted the term with Kuki.
This misidentification has reportedly been compounded by the introduction of the term Khongsai, which the TSA claims was used by certain groups to exert control over Thadou society. The association asserts that these ongoing efforts to merge the two identities have created significant confusion and division. They believe that without a collective stand from all indigenous communities, achieving lasting peace and mutual respect in the region remains impossible.
Comments