New Delhi: A fresh flashpoint has emerged in the ongoing Manipur conflict, with the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation submitting a formal representation to Union home minister Amit Shah alleging that Meitei pilgrims were barred from reaching Thangjing Hill – a site of religious significance for the Meitei community.The letter dated Tuesday (April 15) draws attention to what the society describes as an “unconstitutional blockade” and “threats” to Meitei pilgrims attempting to worship at the sacred hill in the predominantly Kuki-Zo Churachandpur district.Thangjing Hill is revered by Meiteis as the abode of Ibudhou Thangjing, an important deity in their Sanamahi tradition.The representation equated the disruption of the pilgrimage to preventing Hindus from reaching Mount Kailash or Muslims from traveling to Mecca. It also alleged public death threats and the presence of armed men near the hilltop. The group also claimed to have submitted videos along with the representation to serve as evidence.Despite the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur in February 2025 and the deployment of over one lakh security personnel across the state, the group argued that the government’s failure to ensure access to pilgrimage routes reflects a “deeply troubling” “inaction”.It also cited a home ministry’s directions dated March 1 that allowed the free movement of people from March 8 onwards.“Due to the ongoing illegal blockade [of] highways by Chin-Kuki groups, a majority of Meiteis who cannot afford to buy expensive air tickets have been deprived of religious practices [sic] for the last two years,” the letter read.Although the home ministry ordered free movement in Manipur, the ground situation remains unchanged. Meiteis cannot enter the hill areas and Kuki-Zos are unable to enter the predominantly Meitei Imphal valley.Both communities have been separated by ‘buffer zones’ patrolled by security forces since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023.Those traveling across the buffer zones are either Meitei Pangals or people from mainland India.The tensions were also underscored by a public protest held by members of the Kuki-Zo community in Churachandpur district earlier this week. The demonstrators demanded that Meitei pilgrims and representatives not be allowed to enter the area, citing security concerns and the ongoing ethnic conflict.The protest, which took place near an entry point to the district, featured banners and slogans opposing the pilgrimage and called on the authorities to prevent what they described as a ‘provocative’ move by Meitei groups.Speaking to The Wire, the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation said, “The Indian state must decide if the rule of law should prevail and whether the constitutional rights of its citizens should be safeguarded. Or whether the Chin-Kuki militants and their frontal groups will have their way.“Threatening Meiteis to skip the pilgrimage to [the Thangjing Hill] is unconstitutional and is a blatant violation of the freedom of movement and the right to religious practices.”The foundation has urged Shah to ensure the safety of Meitei pilgrims, take legal action against those enforcing the blockade and deploy security forces to secure the pilgrimage route and surrounding areas.The Manipur conflict – ongoing since May 3, 2023 – has led to the deaths of over 200 people, the displacement of tens of thousands and the effective bifurcation of the state along ethnic lines.