India, April 14 -- Tensions have risen in Manipur over the issue of pilgrimage by the Meitei community towards hill ramges. The flashpoint emerged as several Meitei youths sought blessings at the Ibudhou Thangjing temple (Laisang) before embarking on their pilgrimage scheduled for April 14 towards the hill ranges in Manipur.

Meanwhile, thousands of women from hill communities in Manipur staged widespread sit-in protests on Saturday across key buffer zones-including New Zalenphai, Gothol, Khousabung, Kangvai, and Torbung-effectively blocking Meitei pilgrims from accessing the sacred Thangjing hill range ahead of an annual religious pilgrimage.

Manipur has seen violence ever since the clashes broke out on May 3, 2023 with a buffer zone se...