Imphal, May 24 2009: The public meeting today held at Heingang Kangjeibung in connection with the desecration of the symbolic sacred stones of Ebudhou Pakhangba and Goddess Laisana recently at Heingang Hannaba Cheeng has demanded the state government and Muslim community to book and punish the vandals befittingly.

Among the eight resolutions adopted in the public meeting attended by various followers of Meetei faith, the meeting also decided that the state government and Muslim community will be held responsible for any outcome for failing to book and punish the vandals.

The meeting which was held amidst restriction imposed by the government authority has also decided to ask the residents of the sacred Marjing hills to vacate their houses and leave the place.

It also strongly opposed the construction of Masjid at Marjing hills.

To preserve the site by placing it under the care of the Historical Monument Trust, to evacuate residents of the field sides in Heingang so as to enable Heingang residents plough their fields, to prohibit hunting at Marjing Ching, and to impose a fine of Rs 50, 000 to trespassers are, among others, the resolutions adopted today during the public meeting.

The public meeting has also devolved all matters related to the re-construction and protection of Ebudhou Pakhangba Ebendhou Laisna sacred stones and construction of the shrine at Hanna Ching to Hanna Ching Marjing Kol Pakhangba Laisna Laipham Kanba Lup.

The meeting also took note that the vandalism was targeted against the followers of Meetei faith.

It may be noted that the meeting slated for 11 am was foiled by security forces as per a restriction by the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner.

However, with the intervention of the local MLA and Minister N Biren, the meeting was held late in the noon after containing the tension.

The tension had prevented many people from participating in the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Mutum Gourahari said that the desecration of the images of Pakhangba and Ebendhou Laisna was not the first instance happening in Marjing Hill while mooting that some preventive measures must be done this time.

He said that there has been no instance of the Jagor giving the minority community a land and added that the act of vandalism was a challenge to the followers of the faith.

Maiba Purel Wangkhem Ebochou, speaking on the occasion asked whether the people will remain silent when the deities are defiled.

He said it is better to die instead of tolerating someone destroying household items.

Various speakers have also vented their displeasures over the defiling of the sanctum sanctorum of the sacred deities by some vandals and the inaction of the state government in addressing the issue.

Among others, speakers included MEELAL president Ng Yumjao, Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of Naharolgi Thoudang, Kh Nilamani Kha-Nganba, information and public relations secretary of UCM, etal.

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