Agartala, Jan. 13: Tension is simmering in the arcadian Jampui Hills in north Tripura bordering Mizoram following the desecration of a Hindu temple and an image of a deity.

Official sources in Kanchanpur subdivisional town, the headquarters of the Jampui Hills, said a group of Mizo youths from neighbouring Mizoram went to Bethlingsiv hilltop and desecrated an image of Lord Shiva nearly a month back. They also allegedly built a church-like structure next to the temple housing the image. Hindu tribals and non-tribals of the area are up in arms over the desecration of the stone image of Lord Shiva, housed inside a temple-like structure, and construction of the church-like structure. Bethlingsiv hill, at 3,200 ft, is the highest point in Tripura.

A delegation of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) recently visited Bethlingsiv and an attempt is being made to politicise the issue.

Known as the “abode of eternal spring”, the Jampui Hills have been home to more than 5,000 Mizo tribal families spread over 10 tiny hamlets. The foothills are inhabited by Reang tribals.

During the past two-and-a-half decades, the hills were rocked by political tension twice. In the early Eighties, the Jampui Mizo Convention demanded a regional council under the Autonomous District Council. In late 1997, largescale influx of Reang tribal refugees from neighbouring Mizoram threatened to disturb the traditional peace in the area. The Mizos of Jampui hills, however, have venerated the image of Lord Shiva at Bethlingsiv.

A local Mizo, L.M. Biakchunga, said, “The image and temple-like structure have been there for more than a century and we have never thought of it except with respect and care.” Biakchunga said members of his community in the hills were unaware of the identity of those responsible for causing damage to the image.

Reang tribals living in and around Jampui Hills also feel aggrieved as they worship the image of Lord Shiva. Further fuel has been added to the fire by the recent publication of a map and a news item in a Mizo daily of Aizawl, Vanglaini, showing Bethlingsiv and parts of the Jampui Hills in greater Mizoram. In the early Eighties, the erstwhile Mizo National Front (MNF) used to demand inclusion of the Jampui Hills in Mizoram as a condition for peace.

But the fresh demand raised by the newspaper and a low-key campaign launched by political groups operating under the banner of social organisations have triggered fresh tension.

The Mizos of Jampui Hills, however, do not support any proposal for a merger with Mizoram as was made clear by Biakchunga: “We are losing nothing by remaining here as part of Tripura.”