31 Umanglai shrines among religious places burnt
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 13 2023:
A total of 31 shanglens (structures) and Laibungs (shrines) of Umanglai (sylvan deities) were targeted and vandalised in the course of violent clashes between two communities in the state since May 3 .
However, the figure does not include temples and Mandops of Meetei Brahmins, 'Sagei Apokpa Lais-hang' belonging to different Meetei families, individual Laishang at homestead land, and Lainingthou Sanamahi Khupham, which is mandatory in every Meetei household as per Meetei beliefs and traditions.
According to reliable sources, the Shanglen and complexes of Umanglai, under the purview of Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL), that have been subjected to vandalism or arson include Ibudhou Pa-khangba at Thingkangphai, Ima Mata Lairembi at Mata Meetei Leikai, Ibudhou Khu manpokpa at Tuibong Meetei Leikai, Ibudhou Maikeinga-kpa at Khumujamba Meetei Leikai, Ibudhou Maikeingak-pa at Old Bazar Khuga Tam-pak, and Ibudhou Thangjing Khufam at Thangjing hill, all in Churachandpur district.
In Kangpokpi district, shanglen and complexes of Ima Leimakhong Lairembi at Leimakhong, Lainingthou Koubru at Koubru Laikha, Lainingthou Koubru at Kou bru Laikha Mamang, Lainingthou Koubru at Kangpokpi, Nongpok Ningthou at Leimakhong, Ima Kounu Lairembi at Haraothel, Kon-glouton Louthiba at Kongba Maru hill, and Ibudhou Koubru Khupham & Ima Imoinu Khupham atop Koubru hill have either been vandalised or burned.
In Kakching district, shanglen and complexes of Ibudhou Khana-Chaoba at Serou Narelkon, Ima Nung-thong Lairembi at Serou and Ima Nungthong Lairembi at Serou Nungthong have been vandalised and burned.
Burnt shanglen and complexes in Imphal East district include Ima Ireima at Ekou Keithel, Ima Ireima at Yengkhuman, Ibudhou Pa khangba (Chingsanglakpa) at Dolaithabi, SalairelSidaba at Kongba Maru.
Shanglen and complexes of Ima Panthoibi at Tor-bung Govindpur, Ibudhou Pakhangba at Torbung Ban-gla, Ima Panthoibi at Napat Awang Leikai, Ima Heeyai Leima at Napat Makha Leikai, an Lok Ningthou at Tang-jeng Ahallup in Bishnupur district, and Ima Kondong Lairembi at Moreh in Teng-noupal district have also been vandalised and torched.