Thadou Inpi Manipur says the slain church leaders in the Kangpokpi ambush were “Thadou, not Kuki,” and calls for respect for Thadou identity.
IMPHAL, May 16: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the apex body representing the Thadou tribe in Manipur, has issued a strong statement asserting that the three church leaders killed in the recent Kangpokpi district ambush were “Thadou, not Kuki,” and urged the media, organisations and the public to respect what it described as the distinct ethnic identity of the Thadou community.
The organisation also said five surviving church workers and pastors sustained gunshot injuries in the attack and are undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital in Imphal.
The statement expressed concern over sections of the media and individuals referring to the victims as “Kuki.” TIM said such references were inaccurate and caused further distress to the bereaved families and the wider Thadou community.
“At the same time, we unequivocally clarify that the victims were ethnically Thadou — not Kuki,” the statement said, adding that describing them otherwise was “deeply offensive.”
TIM appealed to all concerned to refer to the community as “Thadou” and not “Kuki” or “Thadou-Kuki.” The organisation argued that the term “Kuki” is viewed by sections of the Thadou community as a political label rather than an ethnic identity.
The release further described Dr. Rev. Vumthang Silthou as a prominent advocate of Thadou identity and unity. According to TIM, he played a key role in promoting the translation of the Holy Bible “in Thadou,” replacing earlier versions labelled “in Kuki.”
The organisation also referred to efforts by Thadou church leaders to establish a United Baptist Convention (UBC) involving multiple Baptist bodies without including the term “Kuki” in the proposed name. According to the statement, disagreements over naming eventually led some participating groups to withdraw from the initiative.
TIM stated that the slain leaders had recently attended a UBC meeting in Churachandpur and were returning toward Kangpokpi when the attack took place.
The release also mentioned a “Global Thadou Christian Congress” proposed by TBA leadership, which was reportedly aimed at strengthening ties among Thadou Christian communities worldwide.
In another part of the statement, TIM referred to an event held on May 9 related to the “Kuki Zo Flag” and claimed that Dr. Rev. Vumthang had clarified he neither consented to participate nor attended the programme despite his name appearing in connection with it.
The organisation further declared the deceased church leaders as “Thadou Martyrs” and called for their identity and dignity to be respected. It also appealed for the burial arrangements planned at the TBA compound in Kangpokpi not to face interference.
The statement concluded with a categorical assertion that “Thadou is not Kuki,” describing the Thadou community as a separate and independent ethnic group.
The release reflects continuing debates surrounding ethnic identity and nomenclature among tribal communities in Manipur, particularly amid the broader tensions that have affected the state over the past two years.
While several tribal organisations in Manipur identify collectively under the broader Kuki umbrella, some groups and organisations have increasingly asserted distinct ethnic identities and objected to being categorised within wider political or ethnic labels.
The statement from TIM is likely to add another dimension to the ongoing discourse over identity, representation, and political alignment among tribal communities in the region.
Authorities have not yet issued a separate statement responding to the claims made in the release. Investigations into the ambush and killings are continuing.
