LAMKA: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes of Manipur, has issued a strong rebuttal to the recent visit of a 17-member delegation claiming to represent the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) to Imphal on August 6 for “peace talks” with Meitei civil society organisations.
In a statement signed by Janghaolun Haokip, Secretary of Information and Publicity, KIM said that, in alignment with the Thadou Inpi – General Headquarters, the apex body of the Thadou tribes, it reaffirmed that TIM has “no legitimacy” to speak on behalf of the Thadou or Kuki people. The organisation, citing a series of earlier resolutions, formally declared TIM and its members:
- Ostracised from the Kuki community, and
- Enemies of the Kuki people for allegedly undermining the collective struggle and aspirations of the community.
The Kuki Inpi also said that TIM leaders have “publicly disassociated themselves from the broader Kuki identity” and therefore “lack any legitimacy or moral authority” to negotiate peace or represent the interests of the Kuki people in the ongoing Kuki–Meitei conflict.
It further questioned the timing and intent of the Imphal visit, warning that unauthorised dialogues could “dilute the gravity of injustices” faced by the Kuki people, who remain displaced, persecuted, and without justice. “Peace cannot be built on exclusion, misrepresentation, or betrayal,” the statement read, stressing that any genuine peace process must involve “authentic, community-mandated representatives” and address mass displacement, targeted violence, and systemic marginalisation.
The Kuki Inpi urged local, national, and international stakeholders to “recognise the authentic voice of the Kuki people” and reject “fringe elements” attempting to hijack or distort the community’s demands for justice, safety, and security.
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