On April 13, Arambai Tenggol will head to Thangting Hills for a traditional ceremony, but the Kuki-Zo community sees it as a threat. With buffer zones already strained, Manipur fears another wave of Meitei-Kuki violence. The government is urged to intervene to prevent escalation.

BY PC Bureau
April 11, 2025

Fears of fresh clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities loom large as the Arambai Tenggol, a controversial Meitei armed outfit implicated in several incidents of violence, has announced plans to proceed to the sacred Laibung of Ibudhou Thangjing in the Thangting Hills on the morning of April 13. The announcement, made through a press release dated April 9, 2025, has sparked alarm among the Kuki-Zo community, who allege that the movement is a precursor to an attack on their minority group in the region.

The press release, issued by the Bishnupur District Quick Response Team (QRT) of Arambai Tenggol, states that the unit will participate in a traditional Thouram (ceremony) at the Laibung, a sacred site dedicated to Ibudhou Thangjing, a revered deity in Meitei tradition.

The group emphasized that its members will arrive fully prepared and issued a warning to any “outsiders” with harmful intentions—whether individuals or groups—stating that they will face action from the unit. “If any outsider Arambai Tenggol members or other groups with harmful intentions come to the mentioned Laibung, the Unit will take appropriate action to counter them,” the statement read.

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However, the Kuki-Zo civil society groups have issued a stern warning to the Meitei community against trespassing into the hills. In a joint press statement released on April 9, the groups declared that any such attempt would be viewed as a “direct challenge” to the Kuki-Zo community, holding those who cross the buffer zones responsible for any resulting incidents. The statement also urged the government to take measures to ensure the safety of both communities and called for maintaining the status quo in the buffer zones to prevent further escalation.

The press release, signed by leaders of several prominent Kuki-Zo organizations, reflects the deepening ethnic divide in Manipur, where buffer zones were established to separate the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo-dominated hill areas following violent clashes that began in May 2023. The statement comes amid ongoing challenges to restore free movement in the state, a goal that remains elusive one month after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s March 8 deadline for peace restoration.

A Call for Restraint and Accountability

The Kuki-Zo groups expressed concern over unverified reports of Meitei intentions to enter Chinga Kaba, a sensitive area within the Thangting Hills, which falls under Kuki-Zo jurisdiction. “There is speculation that the Meitei community intends to cross the buffer zone for Chinga Kaba at Thangting Hills in the month of April,” the statement read. It emphasized that no political settlement has been reached between the Government of India and the Kuki-Zo community, and without such an agreement, the Meitei community has no jurisdiction to enter Kuki-Zo land.

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The statement warned, “Whoever attempts to cross the buffer zone will be considered a direct challenge to the Kuki-Zo community, and any untoward incidents that occur during such attempts will be the sole responsibility of those who undertake them.” It further stressed the need to avoid escalation, urging both communities to respect the buffer zones: “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 groups also called on the government to intervene, stating, “The government must take measures to safeguard the interests of the two communities.” This plea underscores the fragile peace in Manipur, where buffer zones, while intended to prevent clashes, have often become flashpoints for tension.

Bone of Contention

The Thangting Hills, located in Churachandpur District, are a significant point of contention. The area is sacred to the Meiteis due to its association with Ibudhou Thangjing, but it also falls within Kuki-Zo-dominated territory. Clashes over land and cultural sites have been frequent, with both communities accusing each other of aggression. The Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organization formed in recent years, has been accused by Kuki-Zo groups of orchestrating attacks against them, while the Meiteis claim the group is a community defense force protecting their interests amid the unrest.

The involvement of security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has also been a contentious issue. While the CRPF and other central forces were deployed to restore peace, both communities have accused them of bias. The Kuki-Zo community, in particular, has alleged that the CRPF and state police have sided with the Meiteis, a claim that authorities have denied.

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Rising Tensions Ahead of April 13

The planned movement by Arambai Tenggol on April 13 has heightened fears of another violent confrontation in the already volatile region. Local activists and civil society groups have called for dialogue to prevent further escalation. “The situation in Manipur is a ticking time bomb,” said, a Kuki-Zo community leader. “The government must intervene and address the root causes of this conflict, or we will see more bloodshed.” On the other hand, Meitei groups argue that their cultural and religious rights, such as access to sacred sites like Thangting Hills, must be respected.

The Manipur state government has yet to issue an official statement on the planned movement by Arambai Tenggol. However, sources indicate that security forces are on high alert, with additional deployments being considered to prevent any outbreak of violence on April 13.

As the date approaches, the people of Manipur remain on edge, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the growing tensions. The conflict has already taken a heavy toll on the state, with families torn apart and communities living in fear. The international community, including human rights organizations, has also called for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Manipur and facilitate dialogue between the warring groups.

For now, all eyes are on Thangting Hills, where the events of April 13 could either mark a step toward reconciliation—or plunge Manipur deeper into chaos.