Thangjing holy site desecrated, Kukis erect giant cross
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 02 2024: Thangjing hills and the holy site of Ibudhou Thangjing, one of the four guardian deities of the four cardinal directions, located south of Imphal valley, has been once again desecrated by Kukis by erecting a giant cross made of iron and aluminium sheets as a permanent structure on January 25 .

The matter came to light when a local media based in Churachandpur, TC Network, ran a 67-minute long ground report covering assembly of the giant cross' components, its transportation up to the peak of the hill, erection of the cross by cementing the ground and consecration of the same by a pastor.

The ground report was shared in the YouTube channel of the Churachandpur-based media on February 1 .

Earlier, there were two incidents of desecrating the sacred site of Meetei community by the Kuki people and erecting giant cross, none of which were permanent structures.

The ground report of TC Network showed the construction of the giant cross by welding iron poles, transportation of the cross in a Shaktiman truck up to the foothill and by menfolk trekking the peak, followed by outer layering of the cross by aluminium sheets before installation and consecration.

They also renamed Mount Thangjing to Mount Olive Prayer Mountain after the Mount of Olives', a mountain ridge in East Jerusalem, east of and adjacent to Jerusalem's Old City.

Interestingly, the whole act could be seen carried out under the close watch and authority of a Kuki-Zo militant group, Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), a signatory of the contentious Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

Cadres of ZRA in combat uniforms armed with sophisticated assault rifles like AK-47, SLR and Myanmar's MAl/Mkl were visible in the whole process.

They also sport ZRA insignia and bulletproof vests.

The active involvement of the ZRA gunmen amounts to violation of the ground rules of SoO pact as well as international conventions of religious freedom.

Some are questioning the morality of the pastor, who carried out the consecration ceremony by desecrating the holy place of an indigenous community, who dearly holds the site as a place of historical importance closely associated with religion and civilisation of the Meetei community.

Meanwhile, a religious scholar of Sanamahi religion said that Churachandpur was originally known as Elhang/Yelhang and it holds a unique place in history of Manipur.

Yelhang Morok, a cayenne variety, derived its name from this place.

Puyas like Thangjing Chingkoiron, Chingni Chuplen, and Thangjing Thelon shed light on the settlement journey from Thangjing hill range to Moirang, Kumbi, Torbung, and nearby regions during a time when the valley began to dry up.

Khumujamba Meetei Leikai is a living proof to Meetei settlement in the hills of Churachandpur.

This locality's name is intertwined with the ancient Khumu Leirijamba deity, residing atop one of the peaks, the scholar added.

He also spoke on several historical connections of Thangjing hills with the Moirang Kangleirol of the once Moirang Kingdom.

Earlier in October last year, the state government took up proactive measures to enforce the directives issued by the Supreme Court of India, passed on September 25, pertaining to the protection of religious buildings and properties in the state.

These legal mandates aim to preserve the sanctity of religious sites by preventing encroachments and safeguarding the properties of displaced individuals amidst rising concerns over potential law and order disruptions within the state.

Before the SC directive was issued, ZRA erected a giant cross and its flag atop Thangjing hill stirring a massive dispute amid the ongoing ethnic violence.

Concurrently, a heated controversy erupted surrounding Thangjing hill near Moirang town.

The controversy stemmed from the erection of the cross and the flag belonging to the Kuki militant group ZRA, atop Thangjing hill, which came to light on September 11.The act sparked tensions concerning the Meetei community, as Thangjing hill holds immense religious and cultural significance for the community.

The Meetei community, predominantly from Moirang area, has historically undertaken pilgrimages to Thangjing hill, venerating it as the abode of the deity Ibudhou Thangjing, which is extensively mentioned in the Moirang Kangleirol of the erstwhile Moirang kingdom.

The encroachment and desecration of the holy site sparked outrage within the community, raising questions about the preservation of their sacred site, which has now fall under the jurisdiction of Churachandpur district.

ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong denied any encroachment on the Meetei community's sacred site, asserting their right to install any Christian symbol in any place within the district.

Nevertheless, various civil society groups, including the Association of Meeteis in the Americas (AMA), have urged the government to address the alleged encroachments on Thangjing hills.

AMA emphasised the severity of the matter by drawing parallels to the desecration of holy sites in other parts of India.

They likened the desecration of Thangjing hills to the desecration of revered Indian sites such as Kedamath, Badri nath, or the Amarnath shrine, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In an effort to protect sacred sites like Thangjing hill, the state cabinet in October last had taken steps to include them under relevant legislation.

However, recent events have brought the issue to the forefront, necessitating swift and decisive action to preserve the sanctity of the sacred site and address the community 's concerns.

Ibudhou Thangjing's shrine on the hill was not visible from Moirang valley in the past, but is visible now with binoculars since a large part of the hillside has been deforested, said a Moirang resident, who grew up in the lakeside town and who has done studies on deforestation.

People have to cross a few initial lower-height ranges, then a middle spot before finally reaching the hilltop shrine.

After the government constructed road from Kwakta side to the hilltop, insurgents took advantage of the same for swift movement, the Moirang resident noted, adding that earlier, only a dirt path existed till the hilltop.

Located within the hilly terrains of Manipur, this revered site was incorporated into the hill district of Churachandpur only in 1969 .

Over the past few years, this sacred location has emerged as a contentious issue, with conflicting rights and assertions intensifying between select hill villages and the devotees of the deity.

Among others, Lt General (retired) Konsam Himalay Singh expressed optimism, stating, "I am hopeful that all concerned parties will honour the beliefs of the substantial population, estimated to be over a million" .

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