Ahead of the Meitei Cheiraoba pilgrimage to Thangjing Hill, thousands of Kuki-Zo women staged sit-ins in Churachandpur, demanding a ban on “unauthorized entry” into their areas. Kuki groups warned Meiteis against crossing buffer zones without a constitutional settlement, calling it a provocation.

The Meitei Heritage Society called the restrictions “unconstitutional,” defending the pilgrimage as a centuries-old religious tradition. Thangjing Hill, referred to as Thangting by Meiteis, is claimed by both communities.

Since ethnic violence began in May 2023, over 260 people have died and 60,000 displaced. President’s rule was imposed in February 2025 after CM N Biren Singh resigned following a Supreme Court probe into leaked audio tapes.