Stand off at Mt Koubru :: Maintaining status quo best option: ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, April 25 2021: The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) while appealing to all the ethnic communities of Manipur to refrain from using provocative statements over the Mt Koubru impasse has suggested that the best option is 'to maintain the status quo' as it was in ancient times.

In a statement, ATSUM Information and Publicity Secretary, Khaiminlen Doungel stated that the silence of ATSUM over Mt Koubru issue should not be construed as 'complicit' for the union opined it would be wrong to jump into the bandwagon sans analysis.

Objectively, ATSUM wants sanity to prevail and if the mudslinging and impasse are to be rooted out, the best option is to maintain the status quo as it was in ancient times.

He continued that it is true that Mt Koubru had been a important pilgrimage site and equally a sacred site for various communities as prayers, religious congregations, fasting and other rituals are done at the summit.

Besides, it is also an important site for adventure lovers and revellers, hence, 'status quo' should be maintained by one and all.

It is indeed unfortunate that the State Government has failed to bring forth an amicable solution on the impasse and suggested maintaining the status quo before it is too late to mend, he added.

The student body said that the attempt to paint the issue with communal colour with provocative statements is condemnable because inspite of the fact that clarifications after clarifications were issued by the tribal CSOs that 'no restrictions were imposed on pilgrims' some people simply refused to listen to the voice of sanity.

ATSUM said that there are organizations going overboard sowing seeds of hatred amongst various ethnic communities of the State.

The student body appealed all the ethnic communities of the State to maintain maximum restraint in words and utterances for the State is going through a precarious situation.

Meanwhile, ATSUM also stated that the recent incident of arson and firing at Sandang Senba Maring village right under the nose of the law enforcing agency is unfortunate and a mockery to the present Government.

It stated that the fact finding committee constituted by the State Government to solve the land dispute need to be expedited while adding that land is sacred to every community, big or small and thus the inalienable rights over land cannot be simply given when coerced by a bigger community.

While strongly appealing for 'maintaining status quo' over the imbroglio at Mt.

Koubru, ATSUM also suggested that Central security forces stationed at Sandang Senba Maring village since March 29 are not withdrawn until and unless an amicable solution is arrived at.

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