Imphal: A large number of Meitei devotees who had planned to undertake the sacred Thangjing hills pilgrimage on April 14 abandoned their plans following advice from community elders. The decision came amid heightened tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, with the latter opposing the pilgrims’ passage through the buffer zone.
Security has been tightened in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts of Manipur, which have been rocked by ethnic violence since May 2023. The buffer zone, heavily guarded by security forces, separates the Meitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts.
Several Meitei devotees who had offered prayers on Sunday to prepare for the pilgrimage returned home after community elders persuaded them to do so, citing the current situation at the sacred hill where armed Kuki men are allegedly present. “We are ready to climb the Thangjing anytime when the situation improves. It’s more than 1000 years old tradition and cannot be just stopped by some groups,” said Naoba, a would-be pilgrim.
The Kuki-Zo community has gathered at the Thangjing Hill and staged demonstrations, warning that any attempt to cross the buffer zone would be considered a direct challenge to their community. Six Kuki organisations have protested the entry of Meitei pilgrims, stating that any such attempt “will be opposed tooth and nail”.
The Meitei Heritage Society has stated that threatening Meiteis to skip the pilgrimage is unconstitutional and a blatant violation of freedom of movement and right to religious practices. The society emphasised that the rule of law should prevail and the constitutional rights of citizens should be safeguarded.
Over 260 people have lost their lives since ethnic violence broke out between the Imphal valley-based Meitei and neighbouring hills-based Kuki communities in May 2023. The clashes began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised in the hill districts to protest against an order of the Manipur High Court on the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. President’s rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after the then chief minister N Biren Singh resigned on February 9.