MPCC slams BJP for Koubru pact with COPPK
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 07 2021:
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice-president K Meghachandra has slammed the BJP government for signing an agreement with the Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mount Koubru (COPPK) without understanding the issue and its possible backlashes.
Addressing a virtual press meet on Tuesday, Meghachandra said that the agreement signed on April 20 following a formal talk with COPPK on April 17 by water resources minister Letpao Haokip was a mistake on the part of the government.
No community should claim ownership of Mount Koubru and the government should protect it.
Signing the pact under pressure of some organisations without considering the history and geography of the state has further deepened the crisis, he said.
The Congress MLA then urged the government to resolve the issue under a proper policy and with firm commitment.
As for Congress party, it wants the government to fully protect Mount Koubru and show that it is the place of origin for all the indigenous communities of the state, he said and advised the government not to bow down to pressure tactics of a single community.
He further said that they came across some statements on the Mount Koubru issue relating it to the party.
Considering the sensitivity of the issue, MPCC has banned issuing statements by district committees, block, frontal and cells without prior approval of MPCC in this regard, he informed.
Joining the virtual media briefing, MPCC general secretary Hareshwar Goswami said that Mount Koubru is an important historical site not only for Meeteis but also for all indigenous communities of the state.
Kabuis also regard it as their place of origin with similar beliefs and emotional attachment among the Mao, Maram Chothe and several other communities with Kou-bro.
As such, Congress wants to keep it as an important protected historical site for the people of the state, he said, while demanding the government to take up necessary actions in this regard.
MPCC general secretary S Jiten and Youth Congress president N Mahananda were also present during the virtual press meet.