TSA rejects KZC's 'contradictory' statements
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IMPHAL, Jun 28 : The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has rejected the 'contradictory and misleading statements' issued by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) regarding the killing of six Naga civilians, including two Pastors abducted from Leilon Vaiphei.
TSA, in a statement, stated that KZC chairman Henlianthang Vaiphei had publicly apologized on behalf of Kuki-Zo people for the ruthless killing.
Within twenty-four hours, KZC, however, attempted to dilute that apology by claiming it was merely a humanitarian expression and not an acknowledgment of responsibility, it added.
Saying that an apology cannot be followed by an immediate disclaimer without undermining its sincerity, credibility, and moral purpose, TSA said that genuine remorse must be unequivocal, wholehearted, and consistent.
Condemning KZC's attempt to justify the use of the 'obsolete and derogatory term' Kacha Naga, TSA added that the fact that the term once appeared in historical legislation does not justify its continued use after the Constitutional nomenclature was substituted in 2012.
Respect for victims begins with respecting their identity, it said
TSA further rejected KZC's claim to speak on behalf of all non-Naga tribal communities.
Constitutionally, there is no standalone Scheduled Tribe named "Kuki" or "Kuki-Zo" in Manipur, it said and maintained that the Constitution recognizes "Any Kuki tribes" as one Scheduled Tribe entry, while Thadou and several other non-Naga tribes are separately recognized as distinct Scheduled Tribes with their own identities.
Likewise, the Zomi are a distinct ethnic community comprising seven Constitutionally recognized tribes that have publicly rejected the labels "Kuki" and "Kuki-Zo," it said.
Accordingly, TSA added that any organisation constituted under the banner of "Kuki" or "Kuki-Zo" cannot presume to represent Constitutionally distinct tribes such as the Thadou or the Zomi without their consent.
At most, KZC can claim to represent those communities and individuals who voluntarily identify under the "Any Kuki tribes" category or subscribe to the Kuki separatist ideology, it further said.
TSA added that KZC has no Constitutional, legal, or moral mandate to speak on behalf of the Thadou people or any other separately recognized tribe without authorisation from their legitimate representative bodies.
Saying that the Thadou community has its own identity, history, institutions, and apex body, TSA asserted that no organisation has the authority to appropriate that identity or issue apologies, political declarations, or public statements in the name of the Thadou people without the explicit consent of Thadou Inpi Manipur.
TSA called upon all organisations to respect Constitutional identities, use respectful and contemporary terminology for all communities, and contribute to peace through truth, accountability, and responsible leadership rather than political expediency.
TSA, in a statement, stated that KZC chairman Henlianthang Vaiphei had publicly apologized on behalf of Kuki-Zo people for the ruthless killing.
Within twenty-four hours, KZC, however, attempted to dilute that apology by claiming it was merely a humanitarian expression and not an acknowledgment of responsibility, it added.
Saying that an apology cannot be followed by an immediate disclaimer without undermining its sincerity, credibility, and moral purpose, TSA said that genuine remorse must be unequivocal, wholehearted, and consistent.
Condemning KZC's attempt to justify the use of the 'obsolete and derogatory term' Kacha Naga, TSA added that the fact that the term once appeared in historical legislation does not justify its continued use after the Constitutional nomenclature was substituted in 2012.
Respect for victims begins with respecting their identity, it said
TSA further rejected KZC's claim to speak on behalf of all non-Naga tribal communities.
Constitutionally, there is no standalone Scheduled Tribe named "Kuki" or "Kuki-Zo" in Manipur, it said and maintained that the Constitution recognizes "Any Kuki tribes" as one Scheduled Tribe entry, while Thadou and several other non-Naga tribes are separately recognized as distinct Scheduled Tribes with their own identities.
Likewise, the Zomi are a distinct ethnic community comprising seven Constitutionally recognized tribes that have publicly rejected the labels "Kuki" and "Kuki-Zo," it said.
Accordingly, TSA added that any organisation constituted under the banner of "Kuki" or "Kuki-Zo" cannot presume to represent Constitutionally distinct tribes such as the Thadou or the Zomi without their consent.
At most, KZC can claim to represent those communities and individuals who voluntarily identify under the "Any Kuki tribes" category or subscribe to the Kuki separatist ideology, it further said.
TSA added that KZC has no Constitutional, legal, or moral mandate to speak on behalf of the Thadou people or any other separately recognized tribe without authorisation from their legitimate representative bodies.
Saying that the Thadou community has its own identity, history, institutions, and apex body, TSA asserted that no organisation has the authority to appropriate that identity or issue apologies, political declarations, or public statements in the name of the Thadou people without the explicit consent of Thadou Inpi Manipur.
TSA called upon all organisations to respect Constitutional identities, use respectful and contemporary terminology for all communities, and contribute to peace through truth, accountability, and responsible leadership rather than political expediency.