GUWAHATI: Contrary to the statements made by six Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs from Manipur claiming that they had not participated in peace talks organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Thadou Community International (TCI) asserted on Wednesday that 20 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo, Meitei, and Naga communities did take part in the discussions.
According to the TCI, these MLAs collectively resolved to reject violence and work towards peace in Manipur.
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The Thadou community, a significant dialect-speaking group within the larger Kuki ethnic community, is one of the most populous tribes in Manipur, second only to the Meiteis.
Despite being a part of the broader Kuki group, there are tensions within the community, as the Thadou people do not always identify themselves as Kukis.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the TCI expressed gratitude to the MHA for arranging the crucial meeting, which saw the participation of 20 MLAs from the Zo, Meitei, and Naga communities of Manipur. The meeting is part of the ongoing efforts to address the ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur since May 3, 2023.
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While noting that the peace initiative should have occurred earlier, the TCI emphasized that it was still a step in the right direction and urged all peace-loving citizens, regardless of community or political affiliation, to welcome and support it.
Citing a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the TCI highlighted the positive outcome of the meeting, where elected representatives unanimously agreed to appeal to the public to renounce violence and work towards peace. TCI described the meeting as a “beacon of hope” for resolving the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
The TCI said all the MLAs who attended the meeting deserve praise for making the right decision in showing their wisdom and leadership by demonstrating a willingness to lead the people out of the doldrums with a genuine sense of courage and truth.
“Leaders must have the courage to tell the truth and give genuine hope to their people instead of giving misleading or deceptive messages with false hopes,” they also said.
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“Whatever may be the aspirations and rightful demands of the different groups, violence is destructive and should not be the means. Government authorities, media groups, community leaders and all concerned groups and people must pay greater collaborative efforts in playing a role in truth-telling positive messaging in the community as opposed to violence-inciting negative messaging, narratives, or rhetoric,” they further said.
The TCI) has emphasized the need to completely reject violence, stating that it only leads to further destruction and loss, especially for the Thadou people, who are among the most severely affected yet remain voiceless in the ongoing conflict.
In their statement, the TCI called on all communities to come together and engage in meaningful dialogues to find amicable solutions for the greater good of everyone, particularly the hardest-hit victims of the violence.
The TCI reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to peaceful resolution, justice, and the protection of human rights. It sees the peace meeting held in Delhi as a crucial step towards healing the deep wounds caused by ethnic violence and toward fostering lasting peace and development in Manipur.
The organization also encouraged the continuation of such peace initiatives, not only among elected representatives but also involving civil society organizations, community leaders, intellectuals, diasporas, and the general public.
“The TCI remains committed to promoting collective action and inclusive dialogue, viewing these as essential to addressing the complex underlying issues of the conflict and ensuring a peaceful future for the state,” they added.