Why in news?
Leaders of the Thadou tribe recently held a two‑day convention in Guwahati, Assam. They issued a 10‑point declaration and a 9‑point resolution to safeguard their distinct ethnic identity and to clarify that they are not part of the larger Kuki group. The statement comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur and neighbouring states.
Background
The Thadou are one of the 29 indigenous tribes recognised in Manipur under the 1956 Presidential Order of India. They speak the Thadou language, practise clan‑based social organisation and have cultural traditions distinct from other Chin–Kuki–Mizo groups. Historical records show that Thadou communities have lived in the hills of present‑day Manipur and adjoining regions for centuries. Over time, political developments and administrative classifications led to confusion between different tribal identities. The recent convention sought to assert self‑identification and address mislabeling.
Highlights of the declaration
- Distinct identity: The declaration states that Thadou is not synonymous with Kuki and must not be prefixed or suffixed by any other tribal name. It emphasises that Thadou has its own language, culture, traditions and history.
- Census figures: According to the declaration, Thadous have been counted separately since the first census of 1881 and remain the single largest tribe in Manipur. The 2011 Census recorded 2,15,913 Thadou people, compared with about 28,000 people classified under the “Any Kuki Tribes” category.
- New bodies and councils: Delegates agreed to form organisations such as Thadou Inpi Mizoram, Thadou Chiefs’ Council, Thadou Human Rights Advocacy, Thadou Academic Society and Thadou Elders’ Association. A unified body called Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) will be established to represent the tribe at state level.
- Demands: The convention seeks recognition of Thadou as a separate Scheduled Tribe in Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland. It calls for the removal of the “Any Kuki Tribes” category from the Scheduled Tribes list, arguing that the category was created without proper consultation and contributes to misidentification.