CoTU Overhauls Leadership in Annual Review; Lamminthang Kipgen Takes Charge as Chairman

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), the principal voice of the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district in the ongoing Manipur conflicts, has effected a major leadership overhaul during its annual review, replacing several office-bearers despite the committee’s two-year tenure still being incomplete.

The leadership changes were made at an annual review meeting and election of new office-bearers held at Kangpokpi Christian Church here under the aegis of the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (KISH) and the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA).

Lamminthang Kipgen was elected Chairman of CoTU, with Lunseh Kipgen and Thongjalun Mate appointed as Vice Chairmen.

N.S. Gangte and Thangpilun Lhoujem were elected General Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively, while Nicky Vaiphei was appointed Finance Secretary and Manghekam Kipgen took charge as Secretary of the Information and Media Cell.

The leadership review was conducted by KISH and SAHILCA in the presence of leaders of various civil society organisations and Kuki-Zo tribal bodies from across the district.

The newly elected office-bearers were formally inducted into their respective responsibilities, followed by a dedication and blessing prayer led by Rev. K. Hangshing, Chairman of the Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship.

The leadership reshuffle comes nearly a year into the two-year mandate of the present CoTU structure, signalling a significant organisational recalibration as the body continues to spearhead the Kuki-Zo community’s collective response to the prolonged crisis in Manipur.

CoTU had undergone a major reformation and reconstitution on August 23, 2025, under the aegis of KISH and SAHILCA, with the leadership given a two-year tenure subject to an annual performance review.

The latest exercise therefore marks the first major leadership change under that reconstituted framework, with the annual review mechanism triggering a fresh team at the helm of the organisation.

The cabinet expansion of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) is scheduled to take place on August 19, with the induction of new members expected to further strengthen and broaden the organisation’s leadership structure following the recent annual review and leadership reshuffle.