Kuki-Zo protesters stop Meiteis from climbing Thangjing hill

Guwahati: Tension prevailed near the buffer zone in Manipur's Thangjing Hill range, which separates Kuki and Meitei inhabited areas in Churachandpur district, on Sunday.

Tribal women from the Kuki-Zo community gathered in Khousabung, Kangvai and Torbung areas to prevent members of the Meitei community from climbing the Thangjing Hill for pilgrimage. The buffer zone was designated during the ethnic conflict to prevent Kukis and Meiteis from entering each other's areas and coming into conflict.

Women from the Kuki-Zo community, who organised a sit-in protest near the buffer zone on Sunday, took a firm stand, saying that they would not allow any Meiteis in ‘Kukiland' until a political solution is achieved. Kuki organisations have been adamant in their demand for a separate administration for them.

According to insiders in a Meitei organisation, several Meitei youths are now planning a pilgrimage trip to the Thangjing Hill on Monday, despite warnings from Kuki-Zo groups.

In a video, several Meitei youths were seen seeking blessings at the Ibudhou Thangjing Laisang (temple) in Bishnupur on Sunday. Office-bearers in Meitei organisations said they sought blessings for the safe pilgrimage trip planned for Monday.

The buffer zone is under strict security surveillance and a night curfew has been in place in and around the buffer zone for an extended period. "The sit-in protest by the Kuki-Zo women was held during the daytime as they do not want Meiteis to enter the buffer zone at any cost. As of now, ‘negotiation' between the two communities is ongoing to find a solution," a senior police official told TOI on Sunday.

Thangjing is historically and religiously significant for the Meitei community. Meiteis celebrate their new year, Sajibu Cheiraoba festival, in March-April and embark on a pilgrimage to the Thangjing hilltop.

Mostly, people from the Moirang area in Bishnupur visit the shrine at the Thanjing Hill.

According to a source, efforts are under way to allow pilgrimage to the site with a limited number of Meitei people climbing the hilltop without crossing the buffer zone guarded by security personnel.

The Meitei civil society organisation, Meitei Heritage Society, has alleged that Chin-Kuki groups have gathered to block the annual pilgrimage of Meiteis in the hill range to hurt their religious sentiments.

"The Indian State must decide if the rule of law should prevail and whether the constitutional rights of its citizens should be safeguarded. Threatening Meiteis to skip the pilgrimage to Thangjing Hill is unconstitutional and is a blatant violation of freedom of movement and the right to religious practice," a spokesperson of the Meitei Heritage Society said.