Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has strongly clarified that the three church leaders killed in a recent ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district belonged to the Thadou community and not the Kuki group, urging media and the public to stop what it called inaccurate and offensive portrayal of their identity.
In a formal statement issued on May 16, the apex Thadou organisation expressed deep grief and anger over the May 13 targeted attack at Kotlen in Kangpokpi district. The victims were identified as Dr Rev Vumthang Sitlhou, President of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI), Rev Kaigoulun, and Pastor Paogoulen. Five others sustained injuries in the ambush.
TIM criticised several media outlets and individuals for wrongly labelling the deceased leaders as “Kuki,” saying the misrepresentation had caused additional pain to the grieving Thadou community. The organisation described such portrayal as “inaccurate and deeply offensive,” whether due to ignorance or deliberate intent, and appealed for strict respect for the distinct Thadou identity. It asked all stakeholders to refer to the victims solely as Thadou and avoid terms like “Kuki” or “Thadou-Kuki.”
The statement highlighted that Dr Rev Vumthang Sitlhou had always upheld his Thadou identity. TIM cited a recent incident involving a “Kuki Zo Flag” event on May 9 where his name was allegedly listed without consent. The late leader had publicly clarified that he neither participated nor supported any such misrepresentation.
According to TIM, the church leaders were returning from a meeting in Churachandpur related to efforts to form a United Baptist Convention (UBC) that deliberately omitted the term “Kuki.” Some groups reportedly withdrew from the initiative over this disagreement. The organisation has declared the three slain leaders as “Thadou Martyrs” and alleged attempts by certain Kuki groups to politicise the tragedy and interfere in Thadou community matters.
The incident has further strained ethnic sensitivities in Manipur, which continues to grapple with complex identity and security challenges. TIM’s firm clarification underscores the deep significance of community identity in the region and calls for greater accuracy and sensitivity in public discourse.
Tags: Manipur, Thadou Inpi, Thadou Community, Church Leaders Killing, Kangpokpi, Rev Vumthang Sitlhou, Ethnic Identity, Northeast India, Manipur Violence, Tribal Rights
Hashtags: #Manipur #ThadouInpi #ThadouCommunity #ChurchLeaders #Kangpokpi #ManipurNews #NortheastIndia #TribalIdentity #EthnicClash #ThadouMartyrs
