HERICOUN demands befitting legal action
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2024:
Taking strong exception to the desecration of the abode of Lord Thangjing atop Thangjing Hill and installation of Cross by Kuki-Zo militants, the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has urged both the State Government and the Government of India to take up befitting legal action before it results in unwanted incidents.
On December 16, 2023, the Supreme Court passed a ruling directing the Government to protect all religious places in Manipur.
Notwithstanding the apex Court's ruling, a big Cross has been installed at the abode of Lord Thangjing, and a signboard has been put renaming Mount Thangjing as Mount Olive.
This blatant desecration of the abode of Lord Thangjing is a direct challenge to the indigenous religion, culture and traditions of the indigenous people, said a press release issued by HERICOUN.
This act of sacrilege has also demeaned Christianity before the whole world apart from violating the Supreme Court's ruling and challenging the laws of the country, it said.
All those people who desecrated the sacred abode of Lord Thangjing must face the apex Court's contempt, it continued.
Pointing out that Mount Koubru and Mount Thangjing were classified as protected sites under the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1976, HERICOUN urged the authorities concerned to take up necessary actions against repeated acts of sacrilege and vandalism carried out at Mount Koubru and Mount Thangjing.
Every community settled together in Manipur must ensure that all religious places are not harmed in any manner, it said.
It further asserted that Kukis came to Manipur only in around 1834 and they are not indigenous people of Manipur.