Meetei Phurup writes letter to Amit Shah to protect Mount Koubru
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2021: In the wake of the issue surrounding Mount Koubru, the Meetei Phurup has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to protect the sacred site (Koubru) of the indigenous people.

In the letter, the Meetei Phurup said that Mount Koubru is a Manipuri heritage, a sacred site where Lord Koubru has his abode, where the indigenous people believe evolution of life had it beginning there and spread from there.

This belief it said is enshrined in the holy scripture "Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya", authenticated a holy script by the National Archives of India.

Followers of indigenous faith of all denominations, Sanamahi religion in particular and other faiths including even the Hindus visit the sacred site of Mount Koubru to pay obeisance to the Lord Koubru.

"In another language, Mount Koubru may be considered as one of the holiest site for indigenous faith followers of this State more or less similar in the line of Mecca for Islam, Jerusalem for Christianity/Judaism, Amarnath cave for Hindus.

Every year thousands of pilgrims pay a visit to these sacred sites of Mount Koubru," said the letter.

Knowing the sentiments of the indigenous people, and also knowing the importance of the sacred holy sites of Mount Koubru, the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] Government under Chief Minister N Biren Singh had moved to declare the site as a "National Heritage site" to protect it from unwanted encroachments and keep the abode of Lord Koubru a sacred, it said.

Even though, Mount Koubru comes under Indian Forest Act, 1927 as notified on July 3, 1968 by the Government of Manipur, it has been encroached upon by people, it said.

From 1940s to 1960s, not a single house or village was seen established in the Mount Koubru area, but from 1963 onwards four houses had started penetrating on the foothill area.

This was the first sign of encroachment in the area, it said hinting many have now settled in the area.

Moreover, there has been heavy deforestation and in the protected forest area of Mount Koubru which includes the site of Lord Koubru.

There has also been large scale poppy cultivation in the mountain range, said the Meetei Phurup.

The organisation also asserted that the "Kuki National Front[N]" poses a threat to the followers of indigenous faith, pilgrims and efforts of the Manipur Government in preserving the Lord Koubru site as a National heritage.

The outfit had issued a "threat note on 7th April 2021 which was published on all electronic and print media on 8th April 2021, ordering the authority or anyone, to abstain away from the area" .

The indigenous people here are now facing a dictate from an organisation while trying to visit the abode of Lord Koubru in "our land" .

It appealed to the Government of India and Manipur Government to take up steps to preserve and protect Mount Koubru and declare it a National Heritage.

The organisation also appealed the Government to close all international borders to prevent influx of illegal refugees from Burma amid the turmoil in the neighbouring country.

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