CM urged to settle Koubru issue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 21 2021:
Maichou Ningshing Lup (MNL) and Lairembi Sin-tha Lup (LSL) Ahongei have appealed to chief minister N Biren to look into the issue of Mt Koubru, the sacred site of indigenous communities of the state and bring a solution at the earliest.
In a joint statement, the two organisations said that Mt Koubru and nearby hill ranges have many sacred sites for indigenous communities of the state.
It is good to see different indigenous communities bringing up old history of brotherhood originating from Mt Koubru and it will definitely help in defending the identity, unity and integrity of the state.
Liangmai community has also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and other authorities urging for protecting the sacred sites in Mt Koubru and nearby hill ranges, the statement said.
On the other hand, Mt Koubru has been declared as reserved forest area in 1967 under Indian Reserve Forest Act, 1929 but several new settlements are coming up in the forest area lately.
Some non-indigenous communities are also challenging the history, eco-system and religious sites located along the hill range which is very unfortunate, it stated, adding that nobody should threaten the Liangmai community settling on Mt Koubru and nearby areas.
It also demanded the government to protect the religious sites under the Places of Worship (Special Amendment) Act, 1991 .