Liangmai Council wants encroachers evicted from Koubru
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 08 2021: Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) has urged the state government to evict the "encroachers" from Koubru Mountain.

A release by the Council said that virgin forest of Koubru was declared as Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi (KK) Reserve Forest by the Forest Department in 1968 to conserve and protect the rich biodiversity of the Koubru Mountain.

However, the purpose of declaring KK Reserved Forest was totally defeated as the Forest department failed to protect and preserve the forest, LNC said and appealed to the state government to evict the encroachers from the Koubru Mountain.

It also noted the recent "exclusive yet unfounded and baseless claims" over Mt Koubru by civil society organisations based in Kangpokpi were unfortunate and reprehensible "as the misleading statements in public domain are detrimental to peace and harmony in the region" .

"The fact that the Liangmai Naga community is the rightful owner of Koubru Mountain Range and our settlement dates back to thousands years cannot be befuddled by such statements," said LNC in a statement.

It also mentioned that the rich history, culture and legends of the "Liangmai Naga community speak volumes about the deeply rooted connection" with Koubo-ra (lord of Koubru) as their forefathers revered Koubo-ra as a high priest.

The Liangmai body further said that the Koubru Mountain Range "therefore, remains sacrosanct to the Li-angmai indigenous people".

It added that the stated fact is unquestionable and cannot be challenged by any external force or power.

"No matter what may come, the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) will fight for its ownership rights till the last man standing," it asserted.

According to LNC, all relevant documents recorded in the history of the kings of Manipur very clearly defined who is the rightful owner of Koubru Mountain Range and who is a tenant.

"As such, the tenant at will has no right to claim ownership in any circumstances just because the lawful owner is generous and kind enough allowing him to settle as a loyal tenant at will," LNC maintained.

The Liangmai body then said that the "so called COPPK body" should learn to respect and honour the history of the people who had allowed their forefathers to use the lands which they are occupying today.

It further said that the generosity should not be taken for granted and stop issuing nonsensical and thoughtless statements in public domain.

LNC went on to say, "It is our sincere advice to COPPK and Kuki civil society organisations to refrain from giving provocative statements or communal tone in public domain and stop making unfounded and baseless claims over the Koubru Mountain Range.

LNC then said, "Of late, it has come to our notice that some fringe element has erected stones and put up signboards in our ancestral land" .

However, one cannot claim indigenous status and landownership title overnight by erecting stones, putting signboards and distorting time honoured history of our forefathers, the Liangmai body also said.

"Therefore, such despicable and shameful acts should be condemned by all civilised and right thinking citizens of the country," it added.

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