The Thadou tribe is urging swift action against Kuki insurgents in Assam, appealing directly to the Chief Minister for intervention. This plea follows a series of escalating tensions and a recent tragic event that has heightened the community's sense of vulnerability. The Thadou community, asserting its distinct ethnic identity separate from the Kuki tribal umbrella, has faced increasing threats and violence, particularly in the aftermath of the Kuki-Meitei conflict in Manipur that began in May 2023.

The immediate catalyst for this urgent appeal is the alleged killing of Nehkam Jomhao, a prominent Thadou leader from Assam, by Kuki militants. Jomhao, the chairman of the Thadou Literature Society, was allegedly abducted, tortured, and murdered for his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation between communities. He was part of a Thadou delegation that participated in a "Road to Peace" meeting with Meitei organizations in Imphal, a move that appears to have angered Kuki militant groups. Five suspected members of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) have been arrested in connection with the murder. The KRA Assam issued a statement expressing shock and sadness about the crime and identified the alleged perpetrators.

Thadou organizations have accused Kuki militants of attempting to suppress the Thadou tribe's distinct identity and disrupting peace efforts in Manipur. They claim that these groups aim to expand the Manipur crisis into neighboring states. The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the apex body for the Thadou community, has submitted a memorandum to the central and state governments, demanding the immediate termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. The TIM argues that the SoO agreement has become a cover for violence, criminal activities, and the persecution of the Thadou people, effectively creating a parallel government and undermining democratic institutions. They are asking the central government to enforce the rule of law and address the surge in violence.

The Thadou community's appeal highlights several critical issues. They claim that the Kuki insurgent groups operate with impunity, running a parallel, unaccountable authority without regard for public safety or the law. They also allege the existence of a 'unified command' in the Kangpokpi district, comprising insurgents both within and outside the SoO agreement. The Thadou Inpi Manipur has also raised concerns about a "surge in violence" and alleges that Kuki groups are conducting a systematic campaign of ethnic and cultural genocide against the Thadou people. They assert the Thadou are victims of violence driven by a Kuki supremacist agenda.

The demand for action against Kuki insurgents reflects a broader concern about the failure of governance and the alleged appeasement of Kuki militant groups under the SoO agreement. The Thadou community feels caught in the crossfire of the Kuki-Meitei conflict, and they are demanding security for Thadou community leaders and families in Assam and Manipur. They are also calling for justice for the slain community leader, Nehkam Jomhao. The Thadou organizations are demanding decisive action to correct past policy errors and abrogate the SoO agreement immediately. They believe that dismantling militant structures and restoring authority to the state government are crucial for achieving true stability and upholding the rights and dignity of all communities.