Imphal, August 13, 2025: The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has strongly condemned what it described as repeated interference by the Kuki Liberation Army/Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLA/KLO), Kuki Inpi Assam, and other Kuki SoO-linked militants in Thadou community matters.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TSA criticised recent remarks and actions by KLA/KLO chief Kaiminthang Thangew, following the “Road to Peace – Covenant of Understanding” meeting held in Imphal on August 6 between Thadou Inpi Manipur and various civil society organisations.
According to TSA, Mr. Thangew allegedly instructed Kuki Inpi Assam and the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Assam (KSO-A), to hold an emergency meeting in Songpijang Community Hall, Haflong, on August 7. The association claimed that Thadou chiefs, who are not part of the Kuki community, were coerced into attending and that Mr. Thangew publicly called for a “Salamsat” customary penalty against five Thadou leaders from Assam who had participated in the Imphal peace meeting.
“The Thadou community is entirely distinct from the Kuki community and is neither part of it nor subordinate to it in any manner,” the TSA stated, warning its members against yielding to threats or misinformation. It reiterated that no Thadou participant would submit to the “Salamsat” ritual.
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The association further alleged that similar interference had occurred earlier, citing the halting of the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025 in Guwahati under Mr. Thangew’s direction.
TSA called upon the Kuki Inpi Assam, KLA/KLO, and related organisations to “immediately and unconditionally” withdraw the August 7 statements and actions. It also urged the government to take “prompt and decisive action” to safeguard Thadou rights and ensure peaceful coexistence.
