Resolve stand off at Mt Koubru: HERICOUN
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 18 2021:
Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) and several organisations have urged all sections of Manipuris and the Government to bring an end to the tension surrounding Koubru for peaceful coexistence of all.
HERICOUN, in a statement issued by its assistant general secretary, Aheibam Anand, pointed out that Koubru is one of the most sacred places of the indigenous people and it is associated with the origin of the Manipuris, their religion, culture and tradition.
Its significance and the place it holds in history as well as the beliefs of the indigenous people are known to all.
The Koubru is also the place where Lai Haraoba was first observed and thousands of people every year, on separate occasions, have been visiting the sacred mountain seeking the blessings of Eputhou Koubru Chingsang, HERICOUN said.
The Ethno Heritage Council categorically stated that no debate or discussion is required regarding issues surrounding the Koubru.
The history surrounding Koubru is not a matter that can be debated upon.
There is no need for any discussion on Koubru other than to preserve, develop and protect the sacred site, it said.
Every organisation and sections of people concerned and the Government should come together to bring a permanent solution to the row surrounding Koubru in time.
If the issues are not solved at the earliest and delayed, it may invite serious repercussions and many unintended and unwanted incidents may occur, cautioned HERICOUN.
The council further stated that communities which came to Manipur later and settled here should respect the indigenous people, their history, religion and religious places.
The HERICOUN condemns the recent incident when the Eputhou Awang Koubru at Koubru Leikha was damaged and burnt, it said and asserted that those acting against the Meeteis and their religion should not test the patience of the latter who stand for unity.
No community or sections of people should cause further damages to the culture, tradition, religion and beliefs of the Meeteis, it said.
Meanwhile, Keke Moirang Kangleirol Kanba Lup, Federation of Haomee and Salaai Kanba Lup, in a joint statement, said they strongly condemn the restrictions put on the survey at Koubru, damages done to the shrine and breaking of a bridge at Koubru area recently.
The Koubru hill range belongs to the indigenous people, sons and daughters of the seven Yek Salais.
Such "attacks" on the indigenous people and their faith have also happened in the past at places including Thangjing Khuvam, Koutruk, Kounu Lairembi and Kondong Lairembi, they said.
The culprits involved in the recent incidents at Koubru should be arrested by April 23 and they should be given exemplary punishments, the organisations said.
In order to avoid unwanted incidents, the Government should, as a precaution, recover all license guns from the people at settled near Koubru, they said.
Many organisations including Social Educational and Cultural Development Organisation (SECDO) Thoubal Kshetri Leikai, The Temple of Universal Peace Awareness Cum Arts and Culture Academy (TUPAACA) and USSIL have also condemned the "attack on faith of the indigenous people and attempts to disturb peaceful coexistence of all communities'' .
They called on all communities to foster peace and respect amongst each other.
USSIL in its statement said its members will join UKAL (Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup) on April 21 at Koubru.
Notably, UKAL had earlier stated that it along with the people would storm Koubru to protect and preserve the sacred site of the indigenous communities.
Comment
