The proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has stated that the Mawjymbuin Cave is not a Hindu shrine but part of the cultural identity of the Hynñiewtrep people.
Condemning the threat from the Assam-based Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) to disrupt road connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya unless the ban on Hindu worship at the site is lifted, the HNLC said it is unwarranted interference in the sacred lands and a direct attack on the sovereignty, culture, and rights of the indigenous people.
“The KSP’s threats of road blockades and communal propaganda will not intimidate us. Instead, they expose their true agenda: to spread hatred, incite communal tensions, and undermine the sovereignty of the Hynñiewtrep nation,” HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in an email statement.
“The Hynñiewtrep people have been the guardians of Mawjymbuin Cave for generations, long before any outsider claimed it as a site for their religious rituals,” he said.
Nongtraw said that the dorbar shnong of Mawsynram has rightfully exercised its authority to protect the sanctity of the sacred site. “Let it be clear: no external force, political or religious, has the right to dictate how we manage our sacred lands,” Nongtraw added.
The HNLC said that the KSP’s outrageous claims and threats of road blockades are nothing but a continuation of the colonial mindset that seeks to dominate, exploit, and erase indigenous cultures. “Their audacity to compare Mawjymbuin Cave to Hindu pilgrimage sites like Kamakhya Temple and Tirupati Balaji is a deliberate attempt to usurp the sacred heritage of the Hynñiewtrep people,” it said.
Stating that while some visitors interpret the natural stone formation in the cave as resembling a Shiva Ling, the HNLC said there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support claims that the cave has been an exclusive site of Hindu worship for centuries.
“Such assertions cannot and should not supersede the rights of the Hynñiewtrep people, who have been the rightful custodians of this sacred land for generations,” the outfit said.
The HNLC further stated that the allegations of a “Christian missionary conspiracy” and “anti-Hindu actions” are baseless and deliberate provocations designed to incite communal violence.
“The Hynñiewtrep people have always upheld the values of respect, coexistence, and peace. However, we will not tolerate lies and propaganda aimed at demonizing our community and undermining our traditional systems of governance,” it added.
Demanding action against the group for its divisive and provocative rhetoric the HNLC said the Hynñiewtrep people are safeguarded under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, particularly under Paragraphs 3 and 4, which empower Autonomous District Councils to make laws on social customs, cultural practices, and the management of land and forests for the benefit of the tribal community.
“If the KSP dares to block roads to demand the reopening of the Mawjymbuin Cave, the HNLC issues a stern warning: every Hindu temple must be shut down. Should the KSP attempt to ignite communal tensions, they will witness the full force of our resolve. Let it be clear—if their temples remain open, we will ensure they are reduced to ruins. If they want to provoke, they will see what true retaliation looks like. Let it be known that the Hynñiewtrep people will not be cowed by outsiders trying to dictate terms on our land,” the HNLC warned.
