Various Thadou bodies including the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) was formed as a full-fledged body for a tenure of 3 years with immediate effect during the two-day Thadou Convention 2024 held at Guwahati on Friday and Saturday respectively.
The convention unanimously elected Pu H James Thadou, Pu Michael Lamjathang Haokip and seven others as TIM president, general secretary and executive members respectively, while three persons were elected as advisor to TIM, stated a release jointly signed by chairman,Thadou Convention Guwahati Organizing Committee (TCGOC), 2024, Nehkholal Hackip and secretary, TCGOC-2024, Mangminlal Sitlhou on Tuesday.
It asserted that TIM will function as the legitimate peak body of Thadou tribe for Manipur, providing strategic leadership, coordination and advocacy and will also spearhead, be responsible for, coordinate movements, representation and all affairs relating to Thadous of Manipur and beyond as needed.
It also mentioned that Thadou Inpi Jiribam (TIJ), which will be under the supervision of TIM was also formed, with Pu SK Thadou as the president. It added that Thadou Inpi Mizoram, Thadou Inpi Karbi Anglong and Thadou Inpi Dima Hasao in Assam were also formed with leaders elected for each unit.
Other bodies including Thadou Chiefs’ Council (TCC) led by Pu Th Helien Thadou, chief of Jampi and Pu Lhunkholet Haokip as convenor and co-convenor; Thadou Academic Society by Pi Ngahpi Lhouvum as convenor; Thadou Elders’ Association (Upalom) by Pu SH Seipu as president and Pu Seikhohao Sitlhou as general secretary; Thadou Human Rights Advocacy with M Paosei Haokip as convenor, and North-East Thadou Sustainable Economic Development Society (NETSEDS) with Pu Mangchungnung Sitlhou as convenor was also formed, it noted.
The convention also made an important decision to place a demand for recognition of Thadou tribe as a separate, distinct scheduled tribe from AKT in the states of Assam and Mizoram and Kuki tribe in Nagaland, it maintained.
It further honoured Thadou Gaal aka Thadou War (1917-1919) heroes for their selfless sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule.
Souvenirs were also presented to the descendants of some of the war heroes, including the grandsons of Jampipa, Longjapa, Lonpipa, Gobohpa, Loikhaipa etc, on the occasion, it said.
It further thanked Chairman of Hill Area Committee, Manipur and MLA, Dinganglung Gangmei for discussing various issues relating to tribal people including NRC, HAC and ADC. It expressed gratitude to Mizoram-based Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), President, H Lalthianghlima; Assistant General Secretary, C Hmingsanga and Information Secretary, Zonunmawia Ralte for taking part in the convention.
It further said that the Thadou Convention 2024 was jointly organised by Thadou Community International (TCI) and Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), with over 200 participants, including Thadou leaders, delegates and church leaders (TBA and TCF) from across the country and also online participants from abroad.
It reaffirmed the collective identity and resolve to preserve and protect the Thadou identity and unique heritage, mentioning that a 10-point declaration and several resolutions of the convention, in response to the long-standing profound need and demand of Thadou people and in fulfillment of the principles, vision, aim and object of their forefathers and of the Thadou Conclave Delhi Declaration, 2015 and Thadou Inpi Constitution, were adopted to secure the best interests and aspirations of Thadou people, now and the future.
It reiterated the statement that Thadou is a distinct ethnic group of people, not Kuki, or underneath Kuki, or part of Kuki, but a separate, independent entity from Kuki and asserted that any organisation that incorporates ‘Thadou’ but espouses Kuki and mis-portrays Thadou as Kuki is illegitimate and does not represent Thadou people and interest.
