Lift restrictions on Mt Koubru: Haomee Federation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 14 2021:
The Federation of Haomee (FoH) has urged all concerned to withdraw the restriction placed on entering Mt Koubru immediately.
In a statement, the Federation contended that imposing such restrictions by a group of people residing near Mt Koubru is akin to 'challenging' the Meetei/Meitei community, which has been performing rituals at the sacred site of the mountain at this time of the year for ages.
"Attempting to create 'fake' history by certain people by concealing the bond between the indigenous people of the State and Mt Koubru is wrong, charged FoH.
Further charging that undermining the faith/belief of other communities settling together in the State is regrettable, the Federation asserted that they will now do what is required to protect the indigenes.
Claiming that many immigrants from Myanmar are settled at Kangpokpi, the FoH urged the Government to carry out a mass operation to identify the immigrants and also 'abolish' Kangpokpi district.
It also said that people who are receiving refugee funds should be removed from the Scheduled Tribe list.
Saying that imposing such a ban on entering the mountain which has been declared a protected site by the Government is nothing but challenging the Constitution of India, the statement urged the Government to take the matter very seriously and expedite the protection measures of sacred sites at Mt Koubru and Thangjing hill ranges.
The federation also asked why the State police are not arresting those people who are putting the restrictions to date.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Federation of Haomee; International Meetei Forum; Kabui Union, Manipur and People's Action for New Development Steps have asserted that restrictions imposed at Mt Koubru is a crime against humanity and Lord Koubru, 'an incarnation of Supreme God (Taibang Semba Mapu)' .
Saying that Meetei/Meitei adopted Hinduism during the period of King Pamheiba (1709 AD to 1748 AD), whereas hills people (present people like Naga and Khongsai or Kuki) were baptised into the Christianity by William Pettigrew�a missionary of American Baptist Mission, the joint statement reminded that King Bodhachandra (1941 AD�1955 AD) who practised Vaishnavism did not give up following the old religious belief and continued paying homage to Lord Koubru.
Likewise, the sacred altars of Mt Koubru mountain are also related with the traditions of Kapui, Mao, Maram, Kom, Koireng, Chiru, Chothe etc., it said and maintained that any historical site or monument having a record of hundred years are protected under Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976 .
It then urged the Govt to defuse the 'provocative' situation at Mt Koubru at the earliest.
Comment
