Imphal:   The Thadou Community International (TCI) has issued an open letter to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, expressing deep concern over the misidentification of their community and calling for respect for their traditional name. The letter, dated August 8, 2024, also honors the victims of the violence that erupted in Manipur which deeply affected the Thadou people.

In their letter, the Thadou Community International honors the victim of the recent violence and emphasized the need for lasting peace, justice in the region and respect for human rights.

The letter highlighted the ethnic diversity of Manipur, which includes 29 tribes officially recognized under the Scheduled Tribes Lists Modification Order, 1956. The TCI commended recent governmental efforts to preserve and promote tribal culture, such as including these tribes under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) Rules, 2022, and the construction of tribal museums at the Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang.

A key concern of the TCI is the correct identification of their tribe as “Thadou.” The community emphasized that any deviation from this name undermines their identity and contributes to racism and disrespect. The letter noted that the Thadou tribe, with a recorded population of 215,913 in the 2011 census, has a rich cultural heritage and a long history of being correctly identified.

The Thadou Community International has urged all parties, including individuals, elected officials, organizations, and the media, to use the correct name “Thadou” and to refrain from using alternative names. The community expressed hope that their concerns would be formally acknowledged during the ongoing Sixth Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The TCI’s letter seeks broader support for their proposition to ensure that the Thadou tribe’s identity is honored and respected, reflecting their significant contribution to the cultural fabric of Manipur.