Thadou body calls for identity protection despite MoS support

Assam: The Thadou Inpi Assam, on behalf of the Thadou people of Assam, expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of Assam for its initiative to bring an end to armed militancy in the state through the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with the Kuki SoO groups on 15th March, 2026. The effort to end the culture of violence and bring armed groups into the democratic mainstream is a positive and welcome step toward lasting peace, stability, and development in the hill districts of Assam.

We acknowledge the decision of the Kuki armed groups to abandon militancy and participate in democratic processes, including the establishment of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) under the MoS. We hope that this political settlement will mark the end of coercion, supremacy, and intimidation that have affected communities in the region.

However, the Thadou people of Assam, particularly in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, have long suffered from unlawful activities carried out by armed groups, especially Kuki militant outfits, even during the period of Suspension of Operations (SoO). The Thadou community has often faced coercive attempts by certain elements seeking to subsume the distinct Thadou identity under the “Kuki” label.

More recently, in 2025, attempts were made to prevent Thadou people from Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts from participating in the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival in Guwahati, due to direct diktats from Kuki SoO militant groups and their associated organisations, such as Kuki Inpi Assam. The community also continues to seek justice for the brutal murder of our revered leader and Thadou martyr, Mr. Nehkam Jomhao, Chairman of the Thadou Literature Society, Assam, who was abducted, tortured, mutilated, and drowned in a river on 30 August 2025, simply for pursuing dialogue, peace, and the dignity of the Thadou community. Justice for this heinous crime has not yet been fully served, as the masterminds behind these Kuki militant groups remain at large despite the arrest of some cadres.

The 1992 Kuki–Thadou conflict in Assam remains unresolved, arising from disputes over identity and cultural representation. During that period, many in the Thadou community lost their lives and experienced intimidation and coercion, with their identity being pressured under the shadow of armed Kuki militancy. These historical grievances remain sensitive and require sincere dialogue and recognition. Unfortunately, Kuki militants from Manipur, who came with the purpose of suppressing Thadou cultural identity, have now been given recognition and legitimacy through the creation of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council by the Government of Assam, without a proper understanding of the issue. As a result, the people of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong interests have been compromised by the Assam Government in favor of the Kuki militant groups.

It must also be clearly stated that the Thadou people will continue to remain under the constitutional administrative frameworks of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), under the State of Assam. The lands and villages inhabited by the Thadou people fall within the jurisdictions of KAAC and NCHAC, and therefore cannot be placed under the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) under any circumstances.

Furthermore, the MoS document lists several Thadou villages as Kuki villages, including Lower Bolsol, Upper Bolsol, Mongon, Lhanghoi, N. Leikul, Old Ngalsong, Molnom, etc. (in Dima Hasao), and Thadou Veng, Molkhang, Mongjang, Khaibung, Songjang, Vongjang, Hengbung, Salemphai, Mimbung, Leikot, Maokot, Kotlen, Bungjol, Phailong, etc. (in Karbi Anglong). We respectfully urge the Government of Assam to exclude these Thadou villages from the proposed KWDC, as they are historically recognized Thadou villages under Thadou Mauzadar jurisdictions and traditional Thadou areas covered by KAAC and NCHAC.

The Thadou language and cultural identity must be protected and respected. The long-standing All India Radio (AIR) Thadou language programme must not be renamed or replaced as a “Kuki language programme.” Likewise, the cultural heritage of the Thadou people—including traditional shawls, attire, customs, and cultural symbols—must not be portrayed or rebranded as “Kuki cultural identity.”

All ethnic and cultural identity of the Thadou people must not be renamed or subsumed as “Kuki.” The Government must respect the indigenous Thadou identity in the Autonomous Districts of Assam, and recognize that the distinct Thadou identity is paramount and must be preserved.

Further, in compliance with the Kaka Kalelkar Commission Report of 1955 (Backward Classes Commission, Government of India), tribes in the hill areas of Assam (undivided) and Manipur were recommended to be identified and listed according to their own distinct names based on their linguistic and cultural identities, rather than being grouped under terms such as “Kuki,” “Naga,” or “Lushai.” In line with this principle, the Thadou community should be distinctly recognized and listed separately from Any Kuki tribes in the autonomous districts of Assam, similar to the manner in which the state of Manipur complied, while Assam did not under the ST & SC Amendment Act, 1956. The ST lists of Assam were subsequently carried forward to the states of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, upon bifurcation which has today created confusion in the newly created states carved out of Assam.

In order to ensure lasting peace and prevent future misunderstandings, we urge the Government of Assam to facilitate a written Community Understanding between the Thadou tribe and the Kuki tribe of Assam, clearly recognizing the distinct identity, cultural rights, and traditional areas of both communities.

The Thadou Inpi Assam reiterates that the Thadou tribe is not a part of the Kuki Welfare and Development Council (KWDC) and calls upon the Government of Assam to ensure that all development policies and political arrangements fully respect the self-identification, cultural rights, and historical identity of the Thadou people.