Sat Apr 12 15:47:26 UTC 2025: ## Manipur Tensions Flare as Meitei Pilgrimage Sparks Controversy

**GUWAHATI, April 12, 2025** – Tensions are rising in Manipur following a dispute over a planned Meitei pilgrimage to Thangjing Hill, located in a Kuki-dominated district. A Meitei organization, the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation (MHWF), has condemned warnings issued by six Kuki civil society groups advising against the pilgrimage, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

The annual pilgrimage to Thangjing Hill is a significant religious event for the Meitei community, but Kuki groups argue that the trek, planned for the Cheirao Ching Kaba ritual, would be a provocation given the ongoing inter-community conflict. They cited the lack of a political settlement and warned of potential consequences for those participating.

The MHWF compared the restriction to preventing Hindus from visiting Mount Kailash or Muslims from visiting Mecca, accusing the Kuki groups of past provocations, including alleged desecration of the Thangjing shrine and attempts to rename the hill. They urged authorities to intervene, fearing that inaction would embolden extremist elements.

This conflict adds to the already volatile situation in Manipur, where over 250 people have died and 60,000 have been displaced since May 2023. While President’s Rule has brought relative calm, concerns remain. Separately, a Kuki women’s rights group, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, highlighted the increasing violence against women in Churachandpur district, reporting recent cases of rape and murder. They demanded swift action from law enforcement. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation.

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