A Committee titled Thadou Community International (TCI) encompassing members of Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) and those championing the cause of Thadous from various countries was formed on Saturday.
The committee was formed during a marathon meeting held under the aegis of TSA stated a release.
During the meeting, issues were raised to address serious concerns over widespread violation of civil and human rights of Thadou people by anti-Thadou elements, particularly Kuki supremacists and to raise the issue with relevant authorities and organisations, including state actors and non-state actors, it stated.
It also briefed facts, circumstances and evidence-based assessments regarding the Thadou tribe. It further said that amidst the ongoing violence in State since May 3, the Thadou tribe continues to face constant and increasing threats to its identity, unity and interests from various quarters, particularly Kuki supremacist groups and individuals, including armed Kuki militants and their frontal organisations disguising as Kuki civil society organisations.
Thadous have been allegedly forced to reject their own ethnic and cultural identity while being forced to proclaim as being Kuki and to support Kuki, and those who do not toe the line have been abused, persecuted, canceled, tortured and assaulted, it maintained.
It also mentioned the incident of arson attack on the family home of the unwavering Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Haokip few days after the outbreak of Manipur violence on May 3, 2023 and assassination attempt on his life in late April last year in Churachandpur.
It lamented over the alleged lack of protection from state actors or government authorities against the rampant and ongoing violation and abuse of human rights perpetrated on Thadous by the anti-Thadou Kuki supremacists.
Thadous will not compromise their identity, but will fight for justice and freedom and seek non-violent and peaceful resolutions on the basis of mutual respect, understanding and equality, it added.
The objectives also mentioned to support Thadou organisations and leaders who work for protection of Thadou people and Thadou interests; to promote and strengthen Thadou communities across the globe and foster positive relationships with other kindred communities within the Chin/Zo people and beyond and to promote upliftment of socio-economic, educational and the over-all development of Thadou people, it stated.
Several critical issues and the future of Thadou people were further discussed during the meeting, it mentioned. It also noted the alleged widespread persecution, brutality and violation of civil and human rights from different quarters allegedly faced by the Thadous in Manipur and elsewhere, it stated.
TCI will endeavour to represent the voice of the suppressed and silenced Thadous, it maintained. It further listed TCI’s objectives which includes to safeguard and promote civil and human rights of Thadou tribe, its distinct identity, heritage, history, culture and the overall Thadou interests and to carry out awareness programs accordingly, it mentioned.
Kapchungnung Tado and Chongboi Haokip were unanimously elected as convenors, while 30 individuals were as executive members for a tenure of one year, it added.
