The gruesome killing of Thadou leader Nehkam Jomhao on August 30, 2025, at his home in Manja village has sparked widespread outrage. A coalition of community groups—Thadou Inpi, Karbi Students’ Association, Dimasa Students’ Union, Thadou Students’ Association, and Thadou Women’s Association—has condemned the attack, allegedly perpetrated by Kuki militant groups, including the Kuki Revolutionary Army, United Kuki Defence Army, and Kuki Liberation Army. Jomhao’s body, reportedly mutilated, remains missing.
Authorities have arrested seven suspects, including two from Manipur, who confessed to the crime. However, the masterminds, including the leadership of the Kuki groups, remain at large, fueling demands for swift justice.Jomhao was part of a Thadou delegation at a “Road to Peace” meeting in Imphal on August 6, 2025. Thadou Inpi emphasized that Thadous are distinct from Kukis, yet Kuki groups responded with social boycotts, threats, and hate campaigns against Thadou delegates.
The coalition claims Thadous face ongoing persecution from Kuki supremacists, who have celebrated Jomhao’s killing and threatened further violence.The murder has strained the historically peaceful ties among Karbi, Dimasa, and Thadou communities. Manja village, gifted to Thadous by Karbis during the 1992-1993 Kuki-Thadou conflict, holds deep significance. Jomhao’s brother was also a victim of that earlier violence.
The coalition also labels the killing as part of a “cultural genocide,” citing escalating incidents as follows:-
May 2024: Kuki militants allegedly demanded the dissolution of the Thadou Students’ Association.
November 2024: Assam Police ignored a related complaint.
March 2025: Kuki groups banned the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival.
April 2025: An “unlawful census” by Kuki groups incited violence, branding Thadou delegates as enemies.
Citing past ethnic clashes, including Kuki-Thadou (1992-1993) and Kuki-Karbi (2003) conflicts, the coalition warns of rising lawlessness. They also issued seven demands to the government:
- Arrest all involved, including Kuki militant leaders.
- Recover Jomhao’s body immediately.
- Transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency.
- Expel Kuki militants from Assam.
- End the Suspension of Operation agreement with Kuki groups and declare them terrorist organizations.
- Ban anti-peace Kuki groups.
- Build a ‘Nehkam Thadou Peace Memorial Park’ in Karbi Anglong.
Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.