Tombstone vandalised, many decry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23 2012:
In an incident that was as shocking at it was abhorrent, unidentified miscreants today vandalised the tombstone of (L) Lalzalien Gangte and (L) Thangkhonieng, the parents of late Dr TS Gangte, which has been erected at their residential premises located at Old Lambulane, Jail Road.
In the meantime, vehemently condemning the act of desecrating the tombstone,the Old Lambulane Welfare Committee, Sitsuong Insung Committee (SIC) and family members of (L) Dr TS Gangte have asserted that the perpetrators would never achieve their goal whatever in resorting to the sacrilegious act.
Addressing media persons at the residence of (L) Dr TS Gangte this afternoon, Avei Haokip, spokesperson of Old Lambulane Welfare Committee hinted that the act of vandalising the tombstone, a traditionally honoured structure in tribal society, could have been perpetrated by a person who is all out to sell off the family property of Dr TS Gangte.
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Avei recalled previous attempts made in the past to sell off the residence of Dr TS Gangte by one of his sons.
She said that the Old Lambulane Welfare Committee and the family members of (L) TS Gangte had registered stiff opposition regarding the attempt to sell off the residence on ground that the place/residence could not, in any way, be sold off to other party till the epitaph and memorial stone of the parents of Dr TS Gangte stands within the premises as per tribal custom.
She said the epitaph is very much revered in the tribal society and wanton destruction of it could lead the perpetrators into trouble.
Avei further alleged that illegal means has been used to change the name of ownership of the plot.
Stating that no one is authorised by the Welfare Committee as well as the family members of Dr TS Gangte to buy or sell the properties, Avei Haokip avowed that the Welfare Committee would not budge an inch from its earlier stance.
The Welfare Committee and the family members would not acknowledge any deal involving the sale and purchase of the plot, she added.
Dr TS Gangte, a renowned scholar and former Director of Education (U), has left a 0.99 acre of residential plot at Old Lambulane, Jail Road.
Dr Priyadarshini M Gangte, the wife of (L) TS Gangte has been looking after and defending the plot since the death of her husband in 2010 .