'Legislative Assembly should withdraw Govindaji Temple Board Amendment Bill'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 09 2014:
Consequent to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's statement at the Mera Hou Chongba function on Wednesday that the state Governor has been urged not to give assent to the Govindaji Temple Board (Amendment) Bill, the Spokesperson of Umanglai Kanba Lup (UKAL) Y.Meiraba today demanded that the state legislative assembly should withdraw the bill by convening a special session.
Speaking to the media during a press meet held at UKAL office at Palace compound today, Y.Meiraba sought a written statement from the chief minister which confirms his recommendation to the Governor for negation of the Bill that was already passed in the assembly session.
Meiraba regretted that the Chief Minister's statement has caused confusion to the public and hence he needs to substantiate it soon.
He said the passage of the controversial Bill in Manipur Legislative Assembly is similar to challenging the cleanliness of secularism.
He demanded that the Manipur Government convenes a special assembly session to cancel the Bill at the earliest.
UKAL Advisor and Convenor of Lailup Maniton told media persons that the Joint Action Committee of Umanglais which represents 42 organisations will have its meeting on October 13 .
The Joint Action Committee also reaffirmed its decision to boycott the upcoming Sangai Festival to protest the Govindaji Temple Board (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which puts all the activities related to Umanglais (forest deities) of Manipur under the Govindaji Temple Board.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of Kanglei Innat Lamjing Lup (KILL) in a press statement questioned the reliability of the chief minister's claim of urging the governor for negating the bill, while pledging support to all steps taken up bu the Joint Action Committee on Umanglais in this regard.
Terming CM's statement as controversial, Secretary of Khongjom Circle Meira Paibi Forum demanded an amicable solution to the issue by holding sincere talks with the agitators.
Showing solidarity to the demands of UKAL and the joint Action Committee on Umanglais, the Ibudhou Wakha Lakpa Thougal Lup and Kha Kanglei Inat Kanba Lup, Kakching Khunou, have appealed to the chief minister of Manipur not to blow up the issue by delivering controversial statements in public.
It also called upon all to continue the agitations until the bill is withdrawn.