CSOs condemn killing of Thadou leader in Assam

Many Manipur based civil society organizations (CSOs) on Sunday condemned the assassination of a Thadou community leader from Assam who took part in a peace meeting in Manipur capital Imphal on August 6.
Nehkam Jomhao (59), chairman of the Thadou Literature Society, Assam, was reportedly killed by suspected militants after being abducted from his residence at Chonghang Veng in Manja area of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Saturday night, around 7.30 pm.
As per various sources, the Assam police have arrested six persons suspected to have been involved in the killing. The deceased Thadou leader was a part of 17-member delegation of Thadou Inpi Manipur, an apex civil society organization representing the Thadou tribe who had come to Imphal and held talks with some Meitei organisations toward restoring peace in the ethnic violence-hit state on August 6.
While strongly condemning the killing of Nehkam Jomhao, various Thadou based CSOs and student bodies blamed Kuki militants behind the “cowardly and barbaric act of cold-blooded murder.”
Thadou Community International (TCI) alleged that Jomhao was abducted, tortured, and killed by armed Kuki militants on August 30 at his residence in Assam.
The TCI alleged that the assassination was a part of “relentless suppression and persecution” being faced by the Thadou people for decades, particularly at the hands of militant groups aligned with Kuki organizations.
“The assassination of Pu Nehkam Jomhao, a respected intellectual and peace advocate, is not an isolated act of violence but part of a long-standing pattern of targeted oppression, intimidation, and cultural genocide against the Thadou tribal Christian community,” the TCI stated in a statement.
This tragedy has exposed the failure of governance and the dangerous appeasement of Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement in both Assam and Manipur, it alleged.
These groups have repeatedly misused their position to wage war, suppress indigenous voices, and impose a reign of terror, it alleged, and added “Such impunity is unacceptable in a sovereign, democratic nation like India.”
The TCI then demanded immediate registration of cases and arrest of all perpetrators responsible for the killing of Nehkam Jomhao.
While seeking full security protection to Thadou community leaders and families in Assam and Manipur, the TCI demanded immediate abrogation of the SoO agreements with Kuki militant groups, who have shown no interest in peace but instead use violence to silence other indigenous communities. The TCI further demanded recognition of the tragic incident not only as a murder, but as an atrocity and attempt at cultural genocide against the Thadou people.
The sacrifice of Nehkam Jomhao was a heavy loss for the Thadou community and for all peace-loving communities. He stood boldly for dialogue and peaceful coexistence, particularly in the Imphal peace meeting between Thadou and Meitei communities, the statement further read.
“His martyrdom must serve as a clarion call to protect the Thadou identity, dignity, and rightful place in history,” it added.
The Thadou Students’ Association-General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) also strongly condemned the killing, describing it as a “cowardly and barbaric act” against a leader who championed dialogue, reconciliation, and peace between communities.
TSA hailed him as a “Thadou Martyr” and said his contributions to Thadou literature, culture, and peace-building would inspire future generations.
The association extended condolences to the bereaved family and demanded justice for his killing.
On the other hand, while calling for justice, the Meitei Alliance, a Meitei based CSO pointed it finger Kuki militants under SoO truce behind the murder of Nehkam Jomhao and demanded immediate rejection of any move to renew the SoO agreements with Kuki militant groups.
In a statement, the alliance urged the Governor of Manipur to ensure the prosecution of those responsible for the murder, restore the rule of law by holding militant groups accountable for repeated violations, and safeguard the democratic and constitutional rights of all communities.
It also pressed for security to Thadou leaders, particularly those who attended the August 6 “Road to Peace” meeting in Imphal, and suggested exploring the possibility of bringing Jomhao’s body to Imphal for burial.
The alliance observed that renewing the SoO agreements with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) would be unconstitutional and morally indefensible while accusing their cadres of repeatedly violating ground rules of the SoO agreement.
The Meitei Alliance described Jomhao’s murder as not only an attack on his life but also on peace, dialogue and coexistence in Manipur and the North East.
Jomhao, a respected intellectual and community leader, was targeted by Kuki militants for his courageous participation in the Imphal peace dialogue between the Meitei and Thadou communities, it added.
Many other CSOs also condemned the murder and called for justice while asserting that the people of Manipur deserved institutions that defend their security, dignity and future, rather than emboldening violence and silencing voices of peace.