Manipur’s fragile peace was once again tested this week as Kuki organisations issued a strong warning to members of the Meitei community, advising them not to enter the buffer zone in the Thangjing Hills region. The development has raised concerns about the potential escalation of tensions between the two communities, amid ongoing ethnic unrest that has gripped the northeastern state since May 2023.
The Thangjing Hills, located in the Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, have emerged as one of the sensitive flashpoints between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The area, traditionally revered by both groups for its cultural and spiritual significance, now lies within a designated buffer zone established by central security forces in an effort to prevent further violence and ensure a neutral space between the two warring sides.
In a statement released earlier this week, prominent Kuki civil society groups—including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Kuki Inpi Manipur—warned that any attempt by Meitei individuals or groups to access the Thangjing Hills would be considered a violation of the peace arrangement and viewed as a provocation.
The warning comes amid reports that members of the Meitei community were planning to visit the region for religious and cultural reasons. The Kuki organisations allege that such visits are not purely spiritual in intent, but are politically motivated and risk undermining the fragile stability being maintained by security forces.
“We have respected the ceasefire agreements and buffer zones created under the supervision of central forces,” the statement read. “But if this respect is taken for weakness, and attempts are made to enter our territory under any pretext, the consequences will be dire. We urge all concerned to maintain restraint and avoid actions that could rekindle the flames of violence.”
The buffer zone in Thangjing Hills was established following months of ethnic clashes that began last year, triggered by a controversial court order regarding Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis. The unrest quickly snowballed into widespread violence, resulting in hundreds of deaths, thousands displaced, and sharp divisions between the Kuki-Zo tribals and the dominant Meitei community.
Despite repeated calls for peace from the central and state governments, normalcy has remained elusive. Security forces, including the Assam Rifles, CRPF, and state police, continue to maintain strict vigil in the buffer zones, while civil society organisations on both sides remain on high alert.
The Meitei community, particularly groups based in Imphal valley, has expressed strong objections to what they view as territorial claims over the Thangjing Hills by Kuki organisations. Several valley-based civil groups have argued that the area belongs to all people of Manipur and should not be restricted to any one ethnic group.
In response to the warning, Meitei representatives have demanded assurance from the government that their rights to cultural and religious practices in the region be protected. Some have also questioned the legal standing of such warnings issued by non-state actors, terming them as “acts of intimidation.”
“We cannot allow Manipur to be divided into ethnic enclaves. Every citizen must have equal access to public spaces and sacred sites,” said a representative of a prominent Meitei organisation. “The government must step in to ensure that such unlawful threats are dealt with firmly.”
Amid rising rhetoric, the Manipur government has so far remained cautious in its response. Officials are reportedly engaging with both communities and central security agencies to prevent any unauthorized gatherings or movements in the buffer zone that could trigger violence.
The Union Home Ministry is also closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of upcoming elections and the already volatile security environment in the state.
Peace activists and human rights groups have urged both communities to exercise restraint and return to the dialogue table. Many fear that unless a permanent political solution is found, sporadic tensions like the current one in Thangjing Hills could become flashpoints for renewed violence.
As the warnings echo across the hills and valleys of Manipur, the state once again stands at a critical crossroads—one where the choices of community leaders and the resolve of the government will determine whether the future leans toward peace or conflict.