Imphal, Jan 14, 2026: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has welcomed the formation of a popular government in Manipur as President’s Rule, imposed on February 13, 2025, comes to an end after a year.
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| Leaders of Thadou Inpi During a Press Conference |
In a press release issued on Tuesday, TIM said the establishment of a democratically elected government is a fundamental expression of the people’s will, as guaranteed under the Constitution of India. The organisation asserted that the Thadou community is a legitimate stakeholder in Manipur’s democratic process, particularly across nine Scheduled Tribe Assembly Constituencies represented by ten elected MLAs from the hill districts.
TIM emphasised that these constituencies are home to diverse communities and that no single organisation or group can claim exclusive authority over the electorate. Any attempt to do so, it said, would be contrary to the Constitution, the law and the democratic will of the voters.
The organisation further stated that if elected MLAs are unwilling to support the formation of a popular government—an outcome mandated by the very elections they contested—they should resign honourably. Holding office while refusing to discharge constitutional responsibilities, TIM said, has no legal or moral justification.
Criticising what it described as the mobilisation of the public to incite hatred and fuel violence for narrow political ambitions, TIM said such practices must come to an end in the interest of peace and democratic governance.
Reiterating its earlier stand, the organisation recalled that Thadou bodies have repeatedly challenged the ten MLAs to resign if they genuinely seek a Separate Administration from the State of Manipur. Continuing to occupy Assembly seats while simultaneously demanding separation, it said, is a contradiction that cannot be justified.
TIM also urged the respective political parties of the ten MLAs to act decisively and ensure that their representatives fulfil their constitutional duties. Calling upon the Thadou community to act according to conscience, the organisation appealed to its members to reject divisive, opportunistic and violent politics.
It further urged people to refrain from participating in activities that undermine democratic governance, including the proposed forced public rally by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) opposing the formation of a popular government in Manipur.
“The community must demand clarity and accountability from their MLAs—either support the formation of a popular government or resign and pursue demands for Separate Administration outside the Assembly,” TIM said, asserting that democracy, constitutional responsibility and public trust must not be sacrificed for selfish political agendas.
