The Thawai Village Authority has issued a press statement on the claim made by the “so-called self-proclaimed Thawai Kuki Village Authority” on 17 March 2026 to have “existed as an independent Kuki chieftainship village with recognised territorial jurisdiction”.
The press statement issued by the Thawai Village Authority stated that “the penchant for concocting false narratives and fabricating documents among the Kukis is yet again exposed in the rebuttal statement issued by the so-called self-proclaimed Thawai Kuki Village Authority dated 17 March 2026. Claiming to have “existed as an independent Kuki chieftainship village with recognised territorial jurisdiction” that never officially existed is nothing short of falsification.
“It was during the early to mid-twentieth century that the peregrinating tribe was permitted to settle temporarily in the foothills by the landowner. However, no sooner did they arrive than they began to distort stories and fabricate documents in an attempt to assert ownership of the land. Recently, similar claims have circulated widely, aiming to establish a false narrative through repetition. The present case is not an exception.
‘Contrary to the press statement by the self-proclaimed village authority, the origin of Thawai Kuki is cited clearly in “Misc Case NO. 232 of 1952-53” in The Court of Sub-Divisional Officer, Ukhrul-
1. Shri Povom alias Khupzalam Kuki as Petitioner
And
2. Shri Kuingai Khullakpa of Thawai Village as Landowner
“The order signed by T C Tiankham as SDO, UKhrul enumerates the following:
1. Khupzalam Kuki have agreed to settle under the patta of Kuingai Khullakpa of Thawai Village
2. If I would ever harass the Khullakpa in respect of the land and the village I have no objection to be turned out.
3. If I am turned out on account of my misbehaviour all my properties, houses, field, gardens etc will be forfeited in the farmer of the village.
4. The member of the would be to settle is 6 (six) who one number of Khupzalam Kuki’s family.
“Again in 24.03.1980, six Kuki families led by Yamkhuhem Haokip re-confirmed that the rightful owner of the land is Thawai Village and agreed on the following terms-
1. Yamkhuhem Haokip along with the six families will continue to stay in Houphulong
2. All house taxes to be paid only through the name of NG Kuingai, Khullakpa.
3. Establishment of new Village Authority is strictly prohibited
4. No new members will be brought in without the permission of the landowner.
“Perpetual attempts have been made from the other end to weave a false assertion, yet oral traditions backed by documentary evidences make it abundantly clear that they were never the owner of the land. To this day the self-proclaimed village is neither recognised nor registered under the state government. They continue to pay their Hill House Tax under the name of Ng Khathing, Headman of Thawai Village. One may invoke constitutional provision in the air but if the settlement is not registered with the Government, the claim of an independent and distinct village is a noisy gong.
“Lastly we warn kuki organisations, especially Thawai Kuki, against distorting facts and spreading false narratives. Twisting history won’t change the truth. Continued provocation may force Thawai Tangkhul village to invoke Misc case No. 232 of 1952-53, risking eviction of Thawai Kuki. Let’s respect the fact and maintain peace” added the press statement of Thawai Village Authority.
