Imphal/New Delhi:
A Civil Society Group of the Metei community of Manipur has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to look at the dangers by “Chin-Kuki Terrorists”, who stopped the Meteyi pilgrims from visiting a hill temple.
The Valley-Chief Meteyi community closed its plan to visit the pilgrimage site of the deity Iubu Thangzing on Thangzing Ching (Hill), which Mitis is considered sacred, community elders expressed concern over the reports that the terrorists had taken the situation on the hill.
“Inactivity in front of these dangers – despite implementing the President’s rule and the presence of more than one lakh security personnel – is deeply disturbing, especially when the Home Ministry, the video of his notification on March 1, 2025, warned of strict action against any displacement, directing the video of people in Manipur since 8 March, 2025.”
Members of the cookie tribes gathered for a sit-in protest at Thangging Hill in Charachandpur district used to “warns mathis,” any effort “tooth and nails would be opposed” against reaching near the hill.
Cookie leaders and civil society groups have said that they will oppose the free movement of people in the state until their demand for a separate land outside Manipur is met.
Condemning threats, Miti Heritage Society reported that Thangging Ching had immense religious and cultural significance for mathis, which have been going on an annual pilgrimage for the hill since ancient times.
“Current blockade is a clear violation of our constitutional rights and a direct attack on our heritage. Such works are prevented by Kailash Parbat or Muslims from traveling to Mecca from their pilgrimage compared to Hindus,” said this. “Threatening and threats – including the danger of public death and video evidence of armed terrorists posted on the hilltop – amount for a target campaign to deny religious freedom.”
Meitei Heritage Society requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider three points to counter the danger: Ensure the safety of Meitei pilgrims, take decisive action against terrorists and their supporters and block pilgrims, and deploy adequate security forces around the holy site.
“The Government of India’s response will determine whether the Indian state protects the constitutional rights of its citizens and protects them or not;
Yesterday, Mitis was prevented by Chin Cookie terrorists and protesters from visiting the holy Ibadhau Thangajing Hills. Today, we presented representation @Amitshah And @Bhallajay26 Our concerns.
This is an unfortunate India, which has more than 1 lakh central and state forces … pic.twitter.com/timvoxaiz3
– Mei Fi Heritage Society (@Meiteiheitage) 15 April, 2025
Ethnic violence between the Meitei community and about two dozen separate tribes is collectively known as Kukis, which is prominent in some mountainous areas of Manipur, killing more than 260 people and has been moved internal about 50,000.
In many friction points in Manipur, the general category’s Meiteis wants to be included under the category of Scheduled Tribes, while Kukis who share ethnic relations with people in neighboring Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram want their own carved land outside Manipur.
Both sides have accused each other of attacking villages in the foothills.
Groups, including cookie leaders and groups, who represent their tribes and have signed the controversial suspension (SOO) agreement of operations, have pointed to ethnic clashes as they have increased their demands in a separate administration, or a union area with an assembly, from an autonomous council.
Meitei leaders called this claim a lie, saying that evidence of ‘Kukland’ demand is widely available and goes back for many years.