Imphal: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the legitimate apex body of the Thadou community in Manipur, on Thursday categorically rejected the unsigned and unauthorised declaration issued by the self-styled “Thadou Inpi – General Headquarters (TI-GHQ)” on March 5, 2026.
The statement irresponsibly targeted independent Thadou organisations—including Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), Thadou Community International (TCI), Thadou Linguistic Forum (TLF), and Thadou Students’ Association (TSA-GHQ)—as well as Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Haokip, TIM said.
It further claimed that as organisations and leaders at the forefront of defending Thadou identity, language, and human rights, these genuine Thadou institutions and Michael Lamjathang Haokip have been targeted not by accident but as part of a calculated attempt to advance the violent Kuki supremacist agenda at the expense of the indigenous identity, peace, and unity of the people of Manipur.
These organisations operated independently and were not aligned with Kuki political or militant interests. TIM categorically rejects the unmandated TI-GHQ’s attempt to dictate terms to the Thadou community. While TIM had previously chosen to ignore repeated provocative statements issued by this group, the present rebuttal is necessary to clarify the facts and expose the lack of legitimacy, credibility, and authority of the so-called TI-GHQ, which functions merely as a Kuki proxy and mouthpiece, it further noted.
1. Historical Background of Thadou Inpi
In 2015, during the historic Thadou Conclave held in New Delhi, the Thadou Tribe Council (TTC) was officially renamed Thadou Inpi (TI). This decision was adopted under the aegis of the Headquarters of the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) and the Headquarters of the Thadou Tribe Council (TTC) in order to strengthen the institutional structure representing the Thadou community. Following this resolution, the first Thadou Inpi-GHQ election for the tenure 2016–2019 was conducted in accordance with Thadou Inpi Constitution (TIC).
In 2017, the then President of Thadou Inpi-GHQ, YT James Haokip, resigned from the presidency along with several colleagues during the critical time of anti-Thadou campaign and Haokip’s “Seldinglhuh.” Subsequently, Stephen T. Haokip was appointed Acting President of Thadou Inpi-GHQ and served until the completion of the term in 2019.
In 2019, the next Thadou Inpi-GHQ election was again organised under the initiative of the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) and Thadou Youth Association (TYA). In this election, Lamminthang Kipgen was unanimously elected as the President of Thadou Inpi-GHQ for the tenure 2019–2023.
2. Constitutional Collapse of TI-GHQ
The tenure of the 2019–2023 leadership expired in June 2023. Under the Thadou Inpi Constitution (TIC), fresh elections should have been conducted to maintain constitutional continuity. Despite repeated appeals from the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) and other concerned organisations to constitute an Election Commission and prevent constitutional breakdown, the leadership failed to act. Consequently, Thadou Inpi-GHQ became constitutionally defunct after June 2023.
Following the outbreak of the Manipur crisis in May 2023, the situation worsened. The leadership of the then TI-GHQ reportedly came under the influence of Kuki militant networks and lost the ability to function independently. As a result, the institution effectively collapsed and ceased to operate as a legitimate representative body of the Thadou community.
3. Emergence of Kuki Proxy Organisations
In November 2023, a body calling itself the Thadou Tribe Council – GHQ (TTC-GHQ) was formed in Tuibong with the backing of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO). This entity did not emerge as a genuine Thadou institution but rather as a Tuibong-based Kuki proxy structure advancing Kuki supremacist interests.
Since its formation, it has failed to undertake meaningful initiatives for the welfare of the Thadou community and has largely confined itself to issuing hostile statements against genuine Thadou organisations and defenders of Thadou identity.
Similarly, in April 2024, another group styling itself as Thadou Inpi-GHQ was formed in Kangpokpi under the patronage of the United Peoples’ Front (UPF). This body functions as another proxy platform operating under Kuki militant influence and attempting to misrepresent the Thadou community while promoting Kuki separatist political agendas.
Both the Tuibong-based TTC-GHQ and the Kangpokpi-based TI-GHQ, therefore, lack constitutional legitimacy and operate as proxy instruments serving militant Kuki networks. Rather than advancing the interests of the Thadou people, these organisations have primarily propagated Kuki supremacist narratives and targeted genuine Thadou institutions, including Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM).
4. Political Manipulation Behind the So-Called TI-GHQ
In November 2023, a body calling itself the Thadou Tribe Council – GHQ (TTC-GHQ) was formed in Tuibong with the backing of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an SoO Signatory Kuki militant. This entity did not emerge as a genuine Thadou institution but rather as a Tuibong-centric proxy structure advancing Kuki supremacist interests merely operating as a paper tiger. Since its formation, it has failed to undertake any meaningful activity for the welfare of the Thadou community and has largely limited itself to issuing hostile statements against genuine Thadou organisations.
Similarly, in April 2024, another group styling itself as Thadou Inpi-GHQ was formed in Kangpokpi under the patronage of the United Peoples’ Front-Kuki (UPF-K), an SoO signatory Kuki militants. This body functions as another proxy platform operating under Kuki militant influence and attempting to misrepresent the Thadou community while promoting Kuki separatist political agendas, confusing the people of Manipur.
Both the Tuibong-based TTC-GHQ and the Kangpokpi-based TI-GHQ therefore lack constitutional legitimacy and operate as proxy instruments serving militant Kuki networks. Rather than serving the interests of the Thadou people, these organisations have primarily propagated Kuki supremacist narratives and targeted genuine Thadou institutions, including Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM).
5. Role of Unprincipled Pseudo-Thadou Voices Promoting the Kuki Political Agenda
The following individuals were involved in the unsigned, unauthorised, and unmandated “Joint Declaration” issued in the name of Thadou Inpi-GHQ in an attempt to tarnish the image of genuine Thadou leaders and organisations for their personal and political gain, thereby confusing the people of Manipur. These actions deserve to be exposed for the greater good of society.
a. Yanglet Haokip: Yanglet Haokip, who presents himself as an advisor to the self-styled TI-GHQ, currently holds the position of Vice-Chairman of the Manipur State Disaster Management Authority and also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a political platform advocating the balkanisation of Manipur into a Union Territory under a Puducherry-type model for the “Kuki-Zo” people in present-day Manipur. At the same time, he has been associated with militant-linked networks, including connections with organisations such as the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), a SoO group under the United Peoples Front (UPF). Recently, anglet Haokip was also inducted as Vice-President of Kuki Inpi Manipur, which constitutes a gross violation of the Thadou Conclave Delhi Declaration, a meeting in which he himself participated. Through these overlapping roles, he has emerged as a prominent promoter of Kuki political narratives while claiming to speak on behalf of the Thadou community. His activities have frequently aligned with campaigns advocating Separate Administration (SA) or Union Territory (UT) arrangements as part of a broader Kuki separatist political movement. Such actions directly contradict the resolutions of the 2015 Thadou Conclave, which clearly affirmed that Thadou is not Kuki. His conduct has consistently aligned with the promotion of a Kuki supremacist agenda and the demand for a separate Kuki administration, while simultaneously benefiting from both the prevailing conflict and state administrative structures for personal and political gain.
b. Mangseh Singsit: Mangseh Singsit, who is currently presented as Vice-President of Thadou Inpi-GHQ, has been associated with various organisations in the past, including connections with armed Kuki militant groups. He previously served as Vice-President of Thadou Inpi-GHQ during the 2019–2023 tenure. However, during that period he allegedly misused funds allocated for the Thadou Heritage Museum, along with Seikholen Singsit. As a result, he was terminated from the membership of Thadou Inpi-GHQ in 2020. His re-induction as Vice-President of TI-GHQ in 2024 by Chongpu Kipgen raises serious questions regarding the integrity and credibility of the leadership responsible for such appointments.
c. Lamminlun Singsit: Lamminlun Singsit, regarded by many as a deserter of Thadou interests and a prominent figure within the Kuki supremacist movement, was the founding General Secretary of the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) and currently serves as its Joint Secretary. He has reportedly been inducted as President of Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi District, allegedly operating under the influence and proxy of Chongpu Kipgen, President of TI-GHQ, in what appears to be an attempt to gain electoral advantage, secure a BJP ticket, and obtain support from KNF leadership led by ST Thangboi Kipgen and Nemcha Kipgen, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur. Another individual acting as a Kuki political mouthpiece while simultaneously claiming to represent the Thadou community, Lamminlun Singsit has frequently been associated with mobilising public protests demanding separate administration. He has also been accused of promoting hostility and intimidation, while allegedly being linked to various corrupt and unlawful activities, all while consolidating personal wealth and influence. Such actions by unprincipled pseudo-Thadou individuals directly contradict the resolutions of the 2015 Thadou Conclave, which clearly affirmed that Thadou is not Kuki.
6. Formation of Thadou Community International
Amid the constitutional collapse of TI-GHQ and the emergence of proxy organisations, Thadou leaders and community members worldwide took decisive steps.
In August 2024, Thadous from several countries came together to establish Thadou Community International (TCI) as a global platform representing the Thadou diaspora and safeguarding the distinct identity of the Thadou people worldwide.
In collaboration with the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA)—the oldest Thadou organisation founded in 1957—a historic Thadou Convention was organised in Guwahati on November 1, 2024.
During this convention, in accordance with the Thadou Inpi Constitution, Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) was formally reconstituted under the presidentship of M. James Thadou. This step revived the previously defunct Thadou Inpi-GHQ structure and established TIM as the legitimate apex body responsible for safeguarding the identity, interests, and welfare of the Thadou people in Manipur.
7. Failure of TI-GHQ Leadership During the Crisis
When violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, the then TI-GHQ leadership failed to act as a voice for the Thadou people or to provide humanitarian assistance, moral leadership, or institutional support to displaced Thadou families. Their silence during a period of immense suffering represented a serious abdication of responsibility.
In contrast, responsible Thadou leaders attempted to initiate dialogue to halt the violence. Michael Lamjathang Haokip played a key role in facilitating discussions between Thadou representatives and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) with the support of the state government.
However, this peace initiative was obstructed by Kuki militant elements, who threatened Thadou leaders with reprisals if they participated in the dialogue. While Kuki-aligned anti-peace individuals sided with militants in blocking the proposed Meitei–Thadou meeting, pro-peace Thadou leaders who supported the dialogue were harassed and threatened with serious consequences.
Such actions expose the stark contrast between those genuinely striving for peace and those who benefit from the continuation of conflict. While some media outlets propagate narratives that seek to blame others for the violence, evidence increasingly points to a far more troubling reality: the Kuki supremacist agenda and orchestrated militant networks driving the conflict.
Had these peace efforts not been sabotaged, many lives and properties might have been saved.
8. Baseless Attacks on Michael Lamjathang Haokip
TIM strongly condemns the baseless allegations made by the so-called TI-GHQ against Michael Lamjathang Haokip. These attacks appear to be deliberate attempts to discredit a leader who has consistently advocated peace, dialogue, and non-violent solutions, and who has demonstrated courage and true leadership at all times.
Unlike individuals aligned with the Kuki militant interests, Michael Lamjathang Haokip, a true, unwavering Thadou leader, has remained steadfast in his commitment to justice, coexistence, and the welfare of the Thadou people.
TIM therefore demands that the self-styled TI-GHQ immediately retract its misleading and defamatory statement and issue a public apology.
9. Call for Unity and Truth
TIM urges the Thadou community and the wider people of Manipur not to be deceived or misled by statements issued by unmandated Kuki proxy organisations. The Thadou people must remain steadfast in protecting their indigenous identity and rejecting narratives that promote division, coercion, or violence.
The future of Manipur must be built on peace, truth, and mutual respect among all communities.
As the legitimate apex body of the Thadou community in Manipur, Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) remains committed to safeguarding the identity, dignity, and welfare of the Thadou people while working toward unity, stability, and lasting peace in Manipur.
