UKAL decries 'arson' at shrine
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 16 2021:
Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) has condemned the alleged "burning of Sanamahi shrine" on Koubru yesterday in the strongest term.
Speaking to media persons at its office at Palace Compound, convenor of UKAL Mutum Maniton said the alleged burning of the sacred site at Kourbu is very unfortunate and against the interest of Meitei religion (Sanamahism).
He said UKAL has visited the site.
"Koubru is a place related to the origin and death of the Meiteis.
It is a sacred place for the community.
Any attack on it is attack on the identity and culture of the Meiteis," he said.
He further stated that the State Government should take up steps to protect the site and arrest those responsible for "burning the shrine" .
If the culprits are not arrested by midnight of April 17, UKAL will cease all Meitei religious activities from April 19 .
The religious activities including Lai Haraoba will also be stopped in places including Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh with the support of the members of the community residing there, he said.
If the Government still fails to take concrete steps, UKAL will hold a meeting to take a stand and decide future course of action.
If positive steps are not taken by the Government, then UKAL along with Meitei people will storm Koubru on April 21 to protect the sacred site.
All people who feel the need to protect the religion and the sacred site may join UKAL on the day, he added.
Notably, even as UKAL has claimed that the shrine was burnt, sources yesterday had claimed that only the residence of a chowkidar was partially burnt and not the shrine.