Imphal: 10th month roiled in ethnic conflict between the Meetei/Meitei (53% of the State’s population, 2011 census) and Kuki-Zo (16%) communities, another sensitive development on the lines of religion has spurred sharp divide over the second installation of a cross at Thangjing shrine, a contested site, along the Thangjing Hill Range in Manipur.
The Meitei community has viewed the second erection of a cross, this time under Bisnhupur district near Moirang by heavily armed Kuki-Zo militants as yet another attempt to desecrate what they consider is home to the sacred and ancient site of Ibudhou Thangjing.
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According to Waari Singbul Network, the cross was erected on January 25 under the watch of heavily guarded by well-armed cadres from the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), a Kuki-Zo militant group.
While the Thangjing Hill Range intrusion alleged by the Meitei community has ignited emotions in the valley, it is worth noting that a group of heavily armed Meitei militants in a recent viral video depicted a Christian matrimony mockingly inside a Khopibung Kuki Catholic church. The act was seen by the vast Christian community across Manipur as sacrilege of church, and attempt to offend the minority Christian community by the dominant Meitei community.
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Thangjing Hill range is a contested site claimed by all the three major communities as their own — the Kukis, Meities and Nagas.
It may be recalled that the Committee on Protection & Preservation of the Historical Rights of Koubru and Thangching (CPPKT) in September 2023 had issued a warning of resorting to strong agitation if the Centre and State government fail to remove the cross that erected on the sacred Thangjing Shrine along the Thangjing Hills within five days.
Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Henglep block in May 2022 had claimed that Loikhai village chief Thenmang Haokip is the rightful owner of the Thangjing Hill Range. CPPKT, had even asked the State government to come out with a clarification.
KSO had complained about the unsolicited activities in and around Loikhai Thangting (Meitei call the hill range Thangjing or Thangching) area by the valley based individuals and groups in a statement then.
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Interestingly, the CPPKT and Kuki Student’s Organization (KSO) Henglep Block and Churachandpur in May 2022 had reached an agreement on the controversial issue of Thangjing Hill Range in the presence of the then Manipur Director General of Police (DGP), P Doungel. Chief minister N Biren Singh also had acknowledged the agreement reached between the two groups in 2022. According to a signed agreement, the two parties after clearing all misunderstandings resolved to withdraw all press releases in connection with Thangjing Hills Range issue.
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On the other hand the Supreme Court in December 2023 in response to the restoration of places of worship in Manipur over months of conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities made recommendations to restore places of worship in the strife torn State. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was hearing a plea by the Meitei Christian Churches Council.
The Supreme Court earlier in 2023 had appointed a 3-member committee to oversee relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding measures in Manipur. The 3-member committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, former Bombay High Court Judge Shalini Phansalkar Joshi and former Delhi High Court Judge Asha Menon had visited the State.
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