Loikhai village chief is owner of Thangjing Hill
Student body KSO Henglep Block stakes more claims
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2022: The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Henglep Block has clarified that its statement issued earlier never mentioned about prohibition of any religious activities on Thangjing range.

Nonetheless, the KSO Henglep Block maintained that the chief of Loikhai village Thengmang Haokip is the rightful owner of Thangjing Hill and he has supporting documents to prove his authority over the which has been passed down from generations.

The KSO Henglep Block also issued a statement regarding the Thangjing impasse, urging all to desist from creating an atmosphere that could trigger communal tension and avoidable social unrest.

However, the statement has been misinterpreted by various persons and associations to support their mischievous propaganda/agenda.

Truth be known that the statement never mentioned about prohibition of any religious related activities, said a press note issued by the KSO Henglep Block on Tuesday.

It also asked as to how can plantations or any such noble activities be carried out without the involvement of the locals who are allegedly the sole guardians and custodians of their land, and added that the approach of the Government in this regard is truly suspicious and irrational.

"The KSO understands the importance of trekking hills for religious rituals.

"Chingkaba/Laikhurumba" which is an important activity of the indigenous Meiteis, and is respected and well-acknowledged by the local villagers in the Hills for ages.

There were no instance of disturbing or interrupting pilgrims who treks the hills for religious purpose by the Kukis", it said.

Instead, they were given assistance by the local villagers on numerous occasions.

When members of Thangjing Seva Mandal, Moirang, Famnaiba Cheirap Loisang and others trek the Thangjing hills, the Kukis in the area were the first to lend a helping hand to them, it continued.

The KSO in particular and the Kukis and the tribals as a whole are never against propagation and practice of any religion at any point of time, but the tendency of some vested individuals or associations to grab tribal land on the pretext of religious activities will always be opposed tooth and nail, it said.

To the dismay of many, the statement of the KSO Henglep Block was misread by the majority valley communities prompting unsolicited comment on various social media platforms, print and digital channel, it decried.

On May 9, under the aegis of Torbung Area Tammee � Chingmi Peace Committee, an understanding was reached to sort out all misunderstandings in connection with the issue, wherein, the chief of Loikhai Village, Thenkhomang Haokip clarified the statement of KSO Henglep in the interest of the public.

Even after a series of clarification, some vested individuals and associations want to put KSO in the wrong light, accusing KSO of propagating communal enmity.

A threatening statement issued against the locals and KSO by some associations is highly uncalled for this has rather destroyed the social fabric and the cordial relationship shared between various communities residing in Thangjing ranges and the adjoining valley areas since ages, it decried.

The KSO seriously view the immature and irresponsible statement of the Committee on Protection & Preservation of the Historical Rights of Koubru & Thangjing Hill Ranges (CPPKT) as a disturbance to the existing peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the area, the KSO Henglep Block said.

It said that the State Government must take stern action against such alleged baseless and unprincipled organisations, which are against the idea of peaceful co-existence.

Any untoward incident arising out of the irresponsible statement made by the CPPKT and their cohorts will be the sole responsibility of the State Government and the CPPKT leaders, it added.

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