Imphal: Thadou Inpi Manipur has called upon Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen to clearly uphold her Thadou identity, safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur, and disassociate herself from what it described as Kuki-related tags, organisations, and separatist ideology.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the apex body of the Thadou community congratulated Kipgen on her appointment as Deputy Chief Minister, describing it as a historic milestone, as she is the first person from the Thadou tribe to hold a constitutional office of such stature in Manipur.
While acknowledging her earlier support for Thadou interests, Thadou Inpi Manipur asserted that there is no “Kuki” identity recognised in Manipur except for the controversial and unconstitutional “Any Kuki Tribes (AKT),” which recorded a population of 28,324 in the 2011 Census. The organisation expressed concern that since May 3, 2023, Kipgen’s perceived alignment with Kuki-centric narratives has raised serious apprehensions, particularly where such narratives are seen as bordering on separatist or supremacist ideology.
The statement emphasised that Kipgen holds a Thadou Tribe certificate and was elected from the General (50–Kangpokpi) Assembly Constituency, and not as a representative of Any Kuki Tribes. In this context, Thadou Inpi Manipur maintained that she must unequivocally dissociate herself from Kuki organisations, social bodies, and separatist political movements, stating that any continued association would be incompatible with her constitutional responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister.
Referring to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement, the organisation said the agreement clearly safeguards the territorial integrity of Manipur. It noted that, given Kipgen’s personal association with the Kuki National Front (KNF), a United Peoples’ Front (UPF) group and SoO signatory, she carries an enhanced responsibility to uphold the agreement in both letter and spirit. Any action or statement that promotes disunity, separatism, or exclusivist politics, it warned, would amount to a serious breach of public trust.
Thadou Inpi Manipur also stated that there should be no intimidation, targeting, or obstruction of Kipgen’s presence in Imphal. It highlighted that a Thadou–Meitei understanding has been established, allowing Thadou people to move freely and without fear in Imphal and other valley areas. The organisation cautioned that peace should not be disturbed through misidentification or misrepresentation of identity.
Reiterating its position, the body said Kipgen’s identity must be stated with clarity—she is Thadou, not Kuki, and not a political representative of Kuki ideology. It urged her to fearlessly and unequivocally reject Kuki ideology and separatist agendas, and to fully embrace her distinct Thadou identity within the framework of a united, inclusive, and multi-ethnic Manipur.
The statement further said that, as Deputy Chief Minister, Kipgen is expected to function from Imphal and discharge her duties without ambiguity or parallel political loyalties.
Thadou Inpi Manipur called upon her to formally reject Kuki political identity and commit herself to defending Thadou human rights, particularly against what it termed Kuki supremacist forces, and to strictly adhere to the SoO Agreement. It also rejected any interpretation of a “negotiated political settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India” as a justification for demands such as Separate Administration or Union Territory status, stressing that the SoO explicitly safeguards the territorial integrity of Manipur.
“Her office is constitutional. Her responsibility is public. Her accountability is non-negotiable,” the statement concluded.
