The appearance of a cross and a community flag on a hill near Moirang town in Manipur has sparked controversy. The hill is considered a sacred site by the residents of this lakeside district, who have been going on pilgrimages there for centuries. The alleged encroachments were first captured on camera on September 11. While the community flag has been removed, the cross remains. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum denied any encroachment, stating that the cross is a symbol of Christianity and does not encroach on anyone’s land. However, several civil society groups have called on the government to address the alleged encroachment. The controversy surrounding Thangjing hill escalated when the former Congress government renamed it to Thangting, causing tension between communities. The Manipur cabinet has taken steps to protect Thangjing hill from encroachment, but a committee in Moirang has filed a first information report over the alleged encroachment. The shrine of Ibudhou Thangjing on the hill was not visible from Moirang valley in the past, but now it is due to deforestation. The renaming of Thangjing hill and deforestation have created tension between communities and led to disputes over the sacred site.
Sat. Mar 15th, 2025
