NCM intimates state to send report on Koubru hill issue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 09 2021: Amidst the controversy over Koubru hill range after a particular community restricted entry of another community even for pilgrimage in the initial days of the annual ritual event, functionary of an organisation lodged a complaint to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) and the Commission has consequently served a notice to the chief secretary of Manipur for furnishing a detailed report on the issue.

The complaint was lodged on February 17 last by a person named Mark Thangmang Haokip, who claims to be president of Manipur state and Myanmar coordinator of International Human Rights Association.

He demanded curtailing of Manipur government's attempt to take over Koubru high range and Thangjing hill range.

Accordingly, the Commission has served a notice to the government of Manipur seeking a detailed report on the matter.

National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Government of India research officer S Najeeb Ahmed sent a letter to Manipur chief secretary on April 13 mentioning that Mark Thangmang Haokip lodged a complaint to the Commission demanding cancellation of attempt being made by Manipur government to take over Koubru and Thangjing hill ranges.

The NCM's letter also intimated the state government to furnish a detailed report to the commission over the complaint lodged by Mark Thangmang Haokip within 21 days.

Though the copy of the complaint lodged by International Human Rights Association to NCM is yet to be seen till date, the letter sent by NCM to state chief secretary mentioned Koubru hill range as Koupru hill range and Thangjing hill range as Thangting hill range.

The time given by NCM to state chief secretary for furnishing the report over the complaint was 21 days.

If counted from the date of sending the letter (April 13), the time for furnishing the report to NCM lapsed on May 4 but it is not known whether state chief secretary had furnished relevant report to the Commission or not.

Meanwhile, International Human Rights Association's Manipur state president and Myanmar coordinator Mark Thangmang issued a press statement on Saturday stating that no civil society organisations, student bodies, church leaders, tribal leaders and non-civil organisations should utter a word regarding the representation sent by NCM on Koubru and Thangjing hill ranges.

It also said that the association took the step to bring harmony and peace among different communities of Manipur forever.

The association also urged state government to send a true report on Kou-bru and Thangjing hill ranges to the Central government in the interest of tribal communities and cautioned that the state government shall be held accountable for any untoward incident occurred over the matter.

Meanwhile, an official of state forest department informed that state government is in the process of furnishing a detailed report to NCM on Koubru and Thangjing hill ranges.

Timely submission of the report, however, has been hindered due to imposition of curfew in view of the prevailing COVID-19 second wave, the official said, adding that a report will be submitted to the Commission without fail.

The official also observed that tension prevailing over Koubru hill range after a particular community banned entry of another community is very unfortunate and such communal flare up should not happen at all.

The official maintained that state government had already issued final notification declaring Koubru hill range as reserved forest in consonance with all due procedures of Indian Forest Act, 1927 .

The area is not the property of any community and no community has the right to object to the government's initiative, the official added.

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