Imphal, April 14: Fresh tension erupted in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Sunday as Kuki groups blocked roads leading to Thangjing Hills, a sacred pilgrimage site for the Meitei community.
Located in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district, Thangjing Hills has long been a place of religious significance for the Meiteis, who trek there every April during Cheiraoba—the Meitei New Year—to offer prayers to their deity, Lainingthou Sanamahi However, access to the hill has remained restricted for Meiteis since the outbreak of ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.
Kuki protesters, holding placards that read “Divide Manipur into Hills and the Valley,” “Hills are safe without the Meiteis,” and “Respect buffer zone,” asserted that Meiteis would not be allowed to “trespass into Kuki territory” until a resolution is reached regarding their demand for a separate administration.
On April 9, at least six Kuki-Zo organisations issued a joint statement warning Meiteis against climbing the hill, stating that any such attempt would be seen as a “direct challenge” to the Kuki-Zo community.
In response, the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation (MHWF) condemned the move, accusing Kuki groups of inciting further unrest. “Since ancient times, the Meiteis have gone on annual pilgrimage to the hilltop shrine of Ibudhou Thangjing, the guardian of the mountains. This illegal statement by the Chin-Kuki groups is akin to Hindus being stopped from their pilgrimage to Kailash Parbat or Muslims to Mecca,” the foundation stated.
The situation remains tense as both communities stand firm in their respective positions.
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