IMPHAL, April 16: Amid escalating tensions and restricted access to Thangjing hill, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba on Wednesday, reaffirmed the Meitei community’s constitutional right to religious pilgrimage. He pledged to press the Centre for safe access, emphasizing that the pilgrimage is a matter of cultural and spiritual significance.
Speaking on the sidelines of a MEELAL team’s flag-off to Tripura, Sanajaoba noted that Meiteis have historically performed pilgrimages to Koubru and Thangjing hills, considered sacred origins of the community. “Our Meitei people, we have originated from the hills. That is our place of origin, and in due course of time we began to settle in the valley. And we often climb the hills and visit our place of origin to remember its history. Restricting us to visit the hills is against the Constitution of India,” he stated.
The MP emphasized his commitment to safeguarding this right: “As the customary head of the state, I will apply pressure on the Centre to safeguard this right.”
The remarks come against the backdrop of a disrupted annual pilgrimage to Thangjing hill, located in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. Hundreds of pilgrims from Imphal Valley were forced to abandon their journey due to mounting ethnic tensions, a monitored buffer zone, and resistance from Kuki-Zo groups.
