The Zomi Students Federation said armed militants harmed churches and used them as a place for hiding in Thangsing hills...
Digital Desk: The chief of Ukha-Loikhai village in Churachandpur, Manipur, asserted on February 15 that no individual, organization, or NGO has the authority to distort the history concerning their ancestral land and heritage in a press note released by the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF).
The chief addressed the issue regarding the historical Thangting of Ukha-Loikhai Haokip Kuki village, stating that it comes under his jurisdiction. Additionally, the chief claimed that the creation of the Thangting sub-division was initiated by the Government of Manipur on 25th August 2014, and later confirmed for Kangvai.
"That the PR of ZDF is distorting the century-long History of Haokip Kukis of Ukha-Loikhai and Thangting in its jurisdiction is very unfortunate and derogating. A certain Student body needs to respect and not interfere in the matter beyond History and Traditions, and not repeat baseless Zogam/Zoland or Thangching or Thangsing in the Historical Haokip Reserved of a Haokip Kuki village of Ukha-Loikhai", said the village chief Thenkhomang Haokip's press note.
The Zomi Students Federation said armed militants harmed churches and used them as a place for hiding in Thangsing hills, claiming the area belongs to the Zo people.
The ZSF mentioned in their press release, “The issue of a cross erected at Thangsing Hilltop has become an issue that is being discussed at the highest levels. Thangsing Hills belong to the Zo people who will continue to exercise their Constitutional Right to Religion and will continue to erect whatever religious symbols their religious fervor drives them to. It is given that wherever people for pilgrimages outside their ambit, the act of such pilgrims erecting religious symbols does not make it their own".
They also added, “The persecution of Christian minorities in the State has only been possible due to the inaction of those in power, those who could have mediated and who could have prevented so many churches from being burnt down. Our churches are sanctuaries of worship too".
Thangjing Hill, also known as Thangching Hill, lies in Manipur's southern province. Recent violence in Manipur has sparked disputes over such lands. Though it is one of the most visited holy pilgrimage sites in Northeast India.
