Denouncing the Kuki Students Organisation’s (KSO) statement, the Committee on Protection and Preservation of Koubru and Thangjing Hill range (CPPKT) is organizing a public meeting on May 14 at 1 PM in Moirang. They had appealed to the people to attend the meeting to protect Thangjing Hills range. Last week, KSO Henglep Branch issued a press release where they warned to stop tree plantation at Thangjing Hill range.
The decision to organize the public meeting was taken in a meeting held today morning under the aegis of the Committee on Protection and Preservation of Koubru and Thangjing Hill range. Representatives of the Kabui Union Manipur, Kabui Student Union, Salai Kanba Lup, Keke Moirang Kangleirol Kanba Lup, Keke Moirang Kendra Apunba Lup, and Federation of Haomee attended the meeting which was presided over by the convenor of the Committee, Sapamcha Jadumani.
The meeting deliberated on the press statement of the KSO Henglep which warns the civil society or organization from planting trees at Thangjing Hill range without the permission of the Kuki Chiefs. Thangjing Hill has been a sacred site of indigenous peoples since the time memorial.
The hills are the abode of Ibudhou Thangjing, one of the most important Meitei deities protecting the region. The Thangjing is the ancestral land of various indigenous people of Manipur like the Meitei, Kom, and Koireng.
Amidst the extensive deforestation occurring at the Thangjing Hill range, various organizations, including members of the State BJP led by its president, A. Sharda Devi, initiated tree plantation drives in the hill areas. On May 5, the KSO Henglep released a press statement, urging the cessation of the tree plantation drive on the hill range.
Today, members of the Salaicha Pibarel Punshi Marup (SPPM), led by MLA Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei, ascended Thangjing hills and actively participated in tree plantation drives. SPPM has also committed to safeguarding Thangjing Hills, recognizing their significance as religious sites within the State.