PRESS RELEASE from TSA GHQ
27th October 2015

Following the Thadou Inpi - General Headquarters' call, in line with Thadou culture and traditions, for observing this year as a 'year of mourning – Sahnit Kum' to pay respect to the 9 tribal martyrs whose dead bodies are still lying in the morgue and victims of the massive landslides in Chandel's Khengjoy Sub-division, the Thadou Students' Association – General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) would like to solicit all Thadou community members to follow their conscience and accordingly abstain from participating in the upcoming Kut festival 2015 organized to be held in Churachandpur and Imphal.

Any cultural troupes that may have been preparing to present Thadou cultural dance at State Level Kut festival in Imphal and Chavang Kut in Churachandpur district, Manipur are hereby appealed or advised to not partake in the event in the larger interest of showing solidarity with the ongoing protest against the passing of the infamous anti-tribal bills by Manipur Legislative Assembly and as a mark of respect to the tribal martyrs who lost their lives for protection of tribal rights, land and identity and the unfortunate landslide victims.

Subsequent to the Inpi's appeal against organizing or participating in any social extravaganza, TSA branches in Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and elsewhere and also Thadou communities in Myanmar and Malaysia have cancelled this year's Kut festival and other social events. While we most appreciate this and those other district level Kut organizers who have relinquished the plan to hold this year's Kut festival in larger tribal interests, we appeal to the organizers of Chavang Kut organized to be held at Tuibuong, Churachandpur and State Level Kut in Imphal to listen to the sentiments of their people and follow suit in cancelling the event. This will be in keeping with the true spirit of unity and brotherhood amongst kindred tribes of Kut celebrating family.

However, it will left to the wisdom and conscience of the organizers as to whether they decide to go ahead with the plan against the wishes and appeals of the Kut celebrating communities who have been rightly questioning the motive behind celebrating the festival at this time of community mourning and grieving.

Sd/-
James Haokip
General Secretary, TSA - GHQ