The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) firmly endorsed the Government of Manipur’s peace efforts, facilitated by L. Dikho following the outbreak of violence in Manipur in 2023. It also extended its warm congratulations to L. Dikho on his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur on February 4. Motbung is a Thadou village, not a Kuki one. L. Dikho’s genuine affection and respect for Motbung, rooted in his faith, was evident during his maiden visit to Motbung Baptist Church for the Pre-Christmas programme in 2019. The people of Motbung also warmly reciprocate the love and respect shown by L. Dikho. This bond of love between Dikho and Motbung is nothing political but a genuine humane touch and love, said a press release of TSA.
It said that the programme for the closing ceremony of the Intra-Motbung Village Sports Meet 2026 was already finalised by the Motbung Youth Club well before the formation of the current government, with L. Dikho invited as Chief Guest on February 7 (Saturday) at Motbung village. Mislabeling Thadou as Kuki represents a grave error. Today’s media coverage in The Sangai Express describing L. Dikho’s participation in the sports event as attendance at a “Kuki event” is inaccurate, misleading, and irresponsible. Thadou can never represent Kuki, nor can Kuki ever represent Thadou. Dual identity can never exist; Motbung is a Thadou village, it said.
Nobody should disturb the event. We must all accept the mandate of the newly installed popular government as enshrined by the Constitution of India in our democratic framework, it said. The TSA welcomed Deputy Chief Minister L. Dikho to the event and expressed full support for the Motbung Youth Club in organising this successful sporting initiative.
