Manipur: Massive sit-in protests sweep hill buffer zones over Thangjing pilgrimage row

Thousands of women from hill communities staged massive sit-in protests across the buffer zones of New Zalenphai, Gothol, and Khousabung in Manipur today, April 13, stopping valley-based groups entry to the Thangjing hill range for the annual pilgrimage.

The epicenter of the demonstration was New Zalenphai, where roads were lined with protesting women holding placards and chanting slogans, demanding respect for buffer zones and their political rights. Similar scenes unfolded in Gothol and Khousabung, where the protesters demanded, no unauthorized entry into the buffer zones.

Ngaineikim, President of the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), said, "We are not anti-peace, but peace cannot be forced upon us while ignoring our political identity. The Centre must engage sincerely—we will not tolerate tokenism any longer.”

She further stated that hill communities are demanding structured, inclusive, and honest political negotiations, not surface-level gestures or symbolic visits.

Rebecca, KWOHR spokesperson, added, “Our separation from the valley people—geographically, demographically, and politically—was not of our making. Until our rights are acknowledged, we will not permit movement across these zones. This land belongs to us, and we will defend it.”