Imphal: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has strongly condemned the burning of houses belonging to Meitei families at Kanto Sabal on July 11, calling for a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident.
In a statement, TIM alleged that the arson attack was carried out by “Kuki mobs” during a peaceful rally organised under the banner of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee (LAPC).
The organisation said there could be no justification for the attack, which it claimed was intended to escalate ethnic tensions and violence in the state. It also expressed sympathy to the affected families and reiterated its commitment to seeking justice through lawful and constitutional means.
TIM welcomed the Manipur government’s condemnation of the incident and the arrests made in connection with the case. It said the Thadou community rejects violence, arson, intimidation, and all forms of unlawful activity.
The organisation also appealed to Thadou residents living in the 27 villages under the LAPC near the Leimakhong Military Station (LMS) in Kangpokpi district to disassociate themselves from Kuki organisations, including the LAPC, register at www.thadou.com, and contact TIM for assistance if required.
It further urged members of the Thadou community to identify themselves solely as Thadou and dissociate themselves from the Kuki label, organisations, and affiliations to avoid what it described as misidentification.
TIM stressed that innocent Thadou residents should not be harassed, threatened, or held responsible for the actions of others, stating that criminal liability is individual and must be determined through due process of law.
The organisation also encouraged every Thadou village to install a “Thadou Village” signboard at its entrance. It added that the Thadou and Naga communities should work towards a formal understanding to strengthen mutual trust, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.
TIM urged both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to ensure that those responsible for the Kanto Sabal arson attack are prosecuted in accordance with the law. It also called for measures to protect Thadou individuals and villages from coercion, intimidation, harassment, and violence allegedly perpetrated by Kuki militant groups, including both Suspension of Operations (SoO) and non-SoO groups, as well as organisations it claimed act as their fronts or proxies.
TIM also called for enhanced security around the Leimakhong Military Station to prevent any unlawful armed group or criminal network from exercising influence over civilian populations, saying such measures are necessary to restore lasting peace, public confidence, and the rule of law.