TSA welcomes Dy CM L. Dikho to Intra-Motbung Village Sports meet closing ceremony

The Thadou Students’ Association, General Headquarters, has extended a warm welcome to Deputy Chief Minister L. Dikho ahead of his scheduled attendance as Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the Intra-Motbung Village Sports Meet 2026 to be held on February 7 at Motbung village.
In a statement, the association appealed that the sports meet should not be disturbed, stating that the mandate of the newly installed popular government must be respected in accordance with the Constitution of India and the democratic framework. It clarified that the programme for the closing ceremony was finalised by the Motbung Youth Club well before the formation of the present government and that L. Dikho had been invited in advance.
The association reiterated that Motbung is a Thadou village and not a Kuki village, and termed recent media reports describing the event as a “Kuki event” as inaccurate and misleading. It stated that Thadou and Kuki are distinct identities and should not be misrepresented, adding that Motbung has always been identified as a Thadou village.
Recalling past interactions, the association noted that Deputy Chief Minister L. Dikho’s connection with Motbung dates back to his maiden visit to Motbung Baptist Church during a pre-Christmas programme in 2019. According to the statement, the relationship between L. Dikho and the people of Motbung is rooted in mutual respect and personal regard rather than political considerations.
The Thadou Students’ Association also welcomed the peace initiatives undertaken by the Government of Manipur following the outbreak of violence in 2023 and acknowledged the role facilitated by L. Dikho in this regard. It further congratulated him on his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister on February 4, 2026.
The association urged responsible reporting and called for accuracy in describing community identities to avoid misunderstanding and tension.