Imphal:
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leshamba Sanajoba said on Wednesday that a sacred site for meiteis, a sacrifice for some groups, is a violation of freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution. He said that it would be difficult for Meiteis to tolerate such restrictions as Thangjing has religious and cultural significance for the community.
“The peace process between the two sides has already been launched by the Center. At a time when there is an understanding to restore peace, such fresh developments (restrictions on going on Thangging) are unfortunate,” MPs, who are also members of the former royal family of Manipur, told reporters on the sidelines of an incident.
“The center should take relevant steps.
He said that the recent objection to going to Holy Thangzing is a challenge to the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.
He said, “Since time, mathis has been climbing for Thangajing for pilgrimage. It has religious and cultural significance for the community. No decent group will object to others to visit their holy place,” he said. “While Meiteis tolerate such insults, it cannot be tolerated for a long time.”
Any unfair task that affects another community, certainly the ability to disturb peace, said the MP.
“The best way is for both Meiteis and Kukis, who favor peace to practice self-restraint so that the other community is not to incite.
Earlier, on 14 April, after the advice of community elders, a large number of Meiteis planned to go to Thangzing Hills in Churachandpur district and returned home from Moirang in Bishanupur district, as cookie and zomi groups protested, warned against Pilgrims crossing what they called ‘Buffer Zone’, or Sensitive Area.
The distance between Moirang Town in Bishanupur district and Thangging Hills is more than 10 km.
Sensitive areas are heavily preserved by security forces, and the Metei-controlled Imphal Valley and some hills where the cookie tribes are prominent.
Many Meeteni devotees, who offered prayers for the preparation of the pilgrimage on 13 April, when the community elders persuaded him, citing the situation on the holy hill, where the people of the armed cookie were allegedly hiding.
Meitei Elders want community members to do pilgrimage later when the situation improves. He said that the path of the holy site at the top of Thangzing Ching (Hill) passes through thick forests and isolated areas, and under the prevailing position it can be dangerous for meiteis to pass through such areas.
Meitei community members perform annual pilgrimage in April according to the traditional Manipuri calendar system.
Thangging Hill is considered a sacred site by the Metei community, traditionally visiting the ‘Sajibu’ month of ‘Sajiba’ which usually comes in April. However, the full moon day and the following days are considered to be the most auspicious.
On 13 April, on the full moon day, several Metei pilgrims from different parts of the Imphal Valley prayed in Bishanupur and camped overnight in Moirang and surrounding areas, preparing for pilgrimage in the coming days.
Officials said hundreds of Kuki community members gathered at Thangzing Hill and staged demonstrations on 13 April.
The Kukis stated that efforts to cross the “buffer zone” would be considered a direct challenge for the Cookie community and if there is an unpleasant incident during such efforts, those who start them will be responsible for it.
On 12 April, several cookie civil society organizations “warned the Metei community against climbing the Thangzing hill, saying that any such effort would be” opposed to teeth and nails “.
Six cookie organizations have opposed the entry of Miti pilgrims into Thangzing Hills.
More than 260 people have lost their lives since ethnic violence in May 2023.
The President’s rule in Manipur was implemented on 13 February, when the then Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned on 9 February. The state assembly, which has a term until 2027, is placed under suspended animation.
