Ibudhou Pakhangba's shrine vandalised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Thoubal, May 22 2024: Unknown miscreants vandalised the shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba atop Uyal Mamang Ching popularly known as Uyal Cheirao Ching in Thoubal district.

Locals suspect that the shrine might have been attacked last midnight.

Reportedly, some religious clothes and items such as kokyet, satra, thakan, mirror, phambal, charei phi etc were also found burnt outside the shrine but the miscreants didn't do any harm to the kajenglei (a Meitei cultural ladies' headdress) .

There were also dents on the two sacred boulders which were kept inside the shrine.

It was a group of morning joggers who first saw the temple being vandalised at around 5.30 am and they informed the Lai Committee of the shrine shortly after.

Ibudhou Pakhangba's shrine vandalised

People from Uyal, Wangbal, Kairembikhok, Wangjing, Salungpham, Heirok, Langmeithet, Icham Khunou and other adjacent villages often climb the Uyal Cheirao Ching to worship Ibudhou and Ibendhou.

Police have registered a case after inspecting the site.

Soon after he came to know about the incident, Keirao AC MLA Lourem-bam Rameshwor Meetei went to Uyal Cheirao Ching and inspected the shrine.

The MLA was accompanied by Additional SP of Thoubal and Officer in-Charge of Thoubal police station.

Speaking to the media by the sideline, Rameshwor appealed to all to never attack religious sites.

He claimed that the desecration of the shrine is not related with the unrest in Manipur.

Let the police probe the incident and take legal actions against those who desecrated the shrine, he said and appealed to the people to cooperate with the police in probing the matter.

The MLA also handed over some money to the Lai Committee to be used in ritual (Ikoukhapta) which will be held in the coming nongma panba (June 7) at the shrine.

Rameshwor assured that he would also extend all possible help in repairing the shrine.

Meanwhile, secretary of the Lai Committee Huidrom Dijen said that Uyal Cheirao Ching falls under Gwarok Reserved Forest.

Saying that the door of the shrine was found breached when they went there, Dijen continued that some religious clothes which were kept inside the shrine were also found burnt outside the shrine.

Some miscreants desecrating the shrine to hurt the religious sentiments of Meeteis was very unfortunate, he said and appealed to the State Government and the relevant authority to look into the matter at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Indigenous People's Democratic Movement (FIDM) has condemned the desecration of the shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba atop Uyal Mamang Ching.

FIDM, in a statement, said that attacking religious sites of Meeteis has become a common phenomenon lately.

It urged the Govt to give a religious minority status to Sanamahism so that it can be protected Constitutionally.