Koubru rows: LNC petitions to National Commission for Minorities
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 14 2021:
Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone has filed a petition to National Commission for Minorities against the 'baseless claims' made by Thangmang Haokip (IRHAM president) in connection with Mt Koubru and appealed for protection and preservation of ecologically sensitive Koubru mountain range which is served as the sacred abode of Koubru-Ra by the indigenous Liangmai Naga Community.
In the petition submitted jointly submitted by Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Liangmai Chief Association and Ahangruak Chief Chairman Association to NCFM vice chairperson Atif Rasheed, they categorically demanded the commission for recognizing the rights of the indigenous Liangmai villages as primary stake holders in the land issue concerning Mt Koubru and make them become partners in the development of the proposed sacred site of Koubru-Ra and Lai Pukhri.
It also called for declaring only selected and specific sites as scared site of lord Koubru in the mountain range with a contingent plan to fully conserve, preserve and protect the rich biodiversity of the mountain range by honouring the rights of indigenes and also to stop all unwanted activities such as cultivation of poppy, rampant deforestation due to timber business, jhum cultivation etc., The council further demanded putting on halt the setting up and recognition of new settlements by Kuki immigrants with a full proof mechanism to restrict the entry of the refugees from across the border especially from Myanmar and restoring the traditional villages and territories of the Liangmei indigenous tribe in and around Koubru Mountain.
It also urged to evict all illegal encroachers including the designated camps of the militants from the KK Reserved forests within Koubru mountain range and to provide necessary protection to the indigenes whose settlement and properties are under threat and also to those villagers who are struggling to resettle in their original village.