Thadou Groups Demand Removal of 'Any Kuki Tribes' from Manipur Scheduled Tribes List Before Census

Thadou community organisations in Manipur have urged the removal of the 'Any Kuki Tribes' (AKT) category from the state's Scheduled Tribes list before conducting the 2027 census. They argue that AKT inclusion, reinstated in 2003, undermines indigenous identities, facilitates illegal residency, and threatens demographic integrity. The Manipur government has proposed AKT's deletion to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, but Thadou groups insist census and National Register of Citizens updates should only proceed after its removal to prevent ethnic tensions and protect indigenous rights.