Kuki groups warns Meitei not to cross buffer zone for Ching Kaba at Thangjing

Imphal: Six Kuki bodies, KIC, KCA, KKL, KSO, KWU and KWOHR have warned Meitei community not cross buffer zone for Ching Kaba (a hill climbing ritual festival of Meitei) at Thangjing Ching (a hill) in the month of April.

“Whoever attempts to cross the buffer zone shall be considered a direct challenge to the Kuki- zo community, and any untoward incidents that occur during such attempts shall be solely the responsibility of those who under take them,” a press release by the four Kuki groups said on Wednesday.

It said, there is speculation that the Meetei community intends to cross the buffer zone for Ching Kaba at Thangting Hills in the month of April.

This press statement is made jointly by the Kuki Civil Societies to inform all that unless and until a political settlement is reached by the Government of India for the Kuki-Zo community under the Constitution of India, no such friendly approach to the jurisdiction of Kuki-Zo land will be allowed for the Meetei community, it added.

There has been no name of Thangting Hills in the history of Manipur. The Kuki renamed Thangjing Ching as Thangting Hills which is not recognized by the government or academicians.

Thangjing hill is a pilgrimage site for the Meitei communities and has been climbing the hill to observe ritual ceremony on the hill top at the shrine of “Eputhou Thangjing”.

The Kuki groups said, to avoid further escalation, each community must maintain the status quo and respect the buffer zone. Any intention to cross the buffer zone will be opposed tooth and nail by the Kuki-Zo community.

The government must take measures to safeguard the interests of the two communities, the release said.