IT News
Imphal, May 2:
The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the apex body representing the Thadou community, has urged the people of Manipur to observe May 3 every year as ‘Peace Day’, instead of marking it in a communal or divisive manner that could fuel ethnic tensions. In a statement issued by Manggou Thadou, Joint General Secretary of TIM, the organisation proposed that the day should serve as a collective call for reconciliation, community understanding, and long-term peace across all communities in the state.
The statement underscored that May 3 should be a day to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in Manipur, and to express solidarity with the survivors and their families. Recalling a similar appeal made by the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) last year, TIM said the idea draws inspiration from Japan’s annual observance of the Hiroshima bombing, which promotes international peace and condemns violence.
TIM pointed out that although the Thadou community has been among the most affected and least heard during the two-year-long unrest, it has consistently advocated for peaceful coexistence through mutual respect among all indigenous communities of Manipur.
It alleged that while some vested interests may have benefitted from the protracted violence, the broader impact on society has been one of destruction, deep suffering, and worsening socio-economic conditions in an already impoverished state.
The statement also reflected on the historical trauma faced by the Thadou people, recalling the violence during the Kuki-Naga and Kuki-Zomi conflicts of the 1990s. TIM said that the community was still grappling with the legacy of those events when fresh violence erupted two years ago, plunging them once again into hardship and insecurity.
Despite alleged threats from anti-peace and anti-Thadou elements, TIM affirmed that the Thadou community—alongside the TSA and Thadou Cultural Institute (TCI)—has remained committed to promoting peace from the outset of the current crisis. Citing recent signs of progress, the organisation expressed hope that peace was within reach, and called upon all stakeholders to help build confidence for lasting harmony.
TIM further urged the people of Manipur to adopt non-violent means for conflict resolution, warning that the future of the state would remain bleak if violence continued. The statement concluded with an appeal to all communities, especially indigenous groups, to avoid provocative rhetoric and hate campaigns, and to instead embrace unity, reconciliation, and the collective rebuilding of society.
