Various CSOs including Pandit Loishang decry disturbances at sacred site "Koubru"
Source: IT News
Imphal, April 16 2021:
The prevailing situation arises at Koubru Hill due to dictate or in order words interference to the sentiment of the Manipuri sacred site by some vested interested persons has angered many Civil societies of the state.
Manipur Pandit Loishang, a body based at Palace compound, which has been working for the preservation of Manipuri culture, traditions and religion has openly warn of serious consequences if those vested interested persons continue with the sentiments of the people.
On the other hand Kangleipak Kanba Lup , Manipur also strongly reacted to the way that some people are playing aggressive politics by gurting the sentiments of the Manipuri people.
It lambasted communal politics being provoked to distort the co-existence of peace and harmony in the state by some vested leaders of a particularl community.
Haomee, International Meetei Forum, Kabui Union, Manipur and People's Action for New Development Steps had strongly reacted to the present crisis at Koubru hill terming as crime against humanity.
A statement of the four CSOs said that disturbances at Koubru mountain is a crime against the humanity and Lord Koubru, an incarnation of Supreme God (Taibang Semba Mapu) .
It further added that it makes a hard hit upon the people of Manipur, just like striking on the cortex.
As we all know, Meetei people used to adopt Hinduism during the period of King Pamheiba (1709 AD to 1748 AD), whereas hill people (present people like Naga and Khongsai or Kuki) were baptised into the Christianity by William Pettigrew � a missionary of American Baptist Mission.
It was started in the year 1894 at Ukhrul (Manipur).
Thus, he was successful to preach Christianity to Ukhrul (specially Tangkhul people) as well as the remotess areas of Manipur like chassad (especially Khongsai/Kuki) were baptised into the Christianity by William Pettigrew and Angom Purum Singh, S/O Angom Thambou Singh, of Fayeng Village.
Here, Angom Purum Singh was the first man to become a Christian in Manipur.
Even king Bodhachandra (1941 AD � 1955 AD) who practises Vaishnavism of Hinduism, did not give up following the old religious belief and tradition of the reverent homage to Lord Koubru.
Likewise the sacred altars of the Koubru mountain is related with the oral traditions of Kapuis, Maos, Marams, Kom, Koirengs, Chiru, Chothe etc.
according to Kapuis belief and traditions, Kapuilu, the head of the Kapuis settled in the Koubru and came to be known as Kapuiluching, later it came to be called as the Koubruchng or Mount Koubru.
Thus, Koireng people also inhabited in the Koubru mountain and they worshipped Koubru in the belief that they are protected by Lainingthou Koubru.
It is also a tradition that those who settled in and around Koubru mountain chain like Mao, Maram and other people also worshipped Lord Koubru as a tradition.
So, the preservation and protection of ancient archaeological sites of Lord Koubru under the ancient monument Acts, is not related with the new conversion of religious or its new faith, belief etc.
Thus, any historical sites or monuments having one hundred years old are protected under Manipur ancient and historical monument and archaeological sites and Remain Act, 1976 .
Therefore, the state Government should do it according to the rule of law and it should be respected by civilized citizens.
In this regard, there is no question of private land, reserved forest, protected forest or encroached areas etc.
If the present provoking situation is not diffused on time, then there may be a worse communal violence in our state.