Fri Mar 07 20:01:46 UTC 2025: ## Manipur’s Meitei and Thadou Communities Join Forces for Peace, Defying Kuki Militant Threats

**New Delhi, March 7, 2025** – In a historic move aimed at ending the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, representatives from the Meitei Alliance and the Thadou Inpi Manipur – representing the Meitei and Thadou communities respectively – held a joint press conference today, calling for peace and reconciliation. This marks the first time these groups have publicly collaborated since the outbreak of violence in May 2023.

The two organizations released a six-point agreement focused on fostering harmony and addressing underlying grievances. Key demands include clarifying the definition of “Kuki” – a broad term encompassing numerous distinct tribes – to prevent further violence fueled by misidentification. They also called for the removal of the vague “Any Kuki Tribes” designation from the Scheduled Tribes list and an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to accurately reflect Manipur’s diverse population. The Thadou Inpi Manipur emphasized its distinct identity, separate from the broader Kuki umbrella.

The joint initiative, however, faced immediate opposition. The United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a militant group not party to a ceasefire agreement, issued threats demanding the press conference be cancelled. The Meitei Alliance and Thadou Inpi Manipur, along with other supporting organizations, condemned the threats and urged authorities to take action against the UKNA, which is already facing terrorism charges.

While the joint peace initiative was hailed as a “milestone achievement” by the Thadou Inpi Manipur, it has drawn criticism from other Kuki groups. The Kuki Students’ Organisation (Delhi and NCR) denounced the meeting as illegitimate, alleging the Thadou Inpi Manipur is a “fringe organization” acting against the interests of the broader Kuki community.

The ongoing conflict, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 250 deaths and nearly 50,000 internally displaced persons. The conflict stems from complex issues including land rights and political representation, with accusations from Meitei leaders that Kuki militant groups have exploited ceasefires to pursue a separate administration. Kuki groups, however, claim their demand for a separate state or Union Territory has historical roots, dating back to 1946-47. The future of this fragile peace initiative remains uncertain amidst the ongoing tensions and threats.

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